Government Eyes Games Censorship (January 1989).

Young gamers could be  banned  from  buying  certain titles, following
calls for  a  government  enquiry  into  computer  software  violence.
Growing pressure in the  United  States  for  a computer clampdown has
prompted Conservative MP Geoffrey  Dickens  to  ask the Home Secretary
Douglas Hurd to set up an enquiry.
      As yet the Home  Office  has  not  responded to Dickens' request
although it is thought likely that an  enquiry will be set up later in
the year. Dickens hopes that a certifying  board can be put into place
similar to those in the film and video industries.
      Games which are deemed to be exceptionally violent will be given
an 18 certificate with slightly milder  titles  given 15. In the past,
some computer games have been graded but only after being submitted by
the software house voluntarily. the  most  publicised cases were CRL's
Dracula (15) and Jack the Ripper (18).
       "We've got an Act in place to monitor which videos get into the
home and I think it wouldn't be such  a  bad thing to do the same with
video games," said Dickens. "We need  a  forum  in which to view these
games before they reach the shelves."
       At present Dickens was waiting to hear from Hurd on the matter.
The board of enquiry if it is  set  up, will consist of "experts" such
as child psychiatrists and  entertainment  pundits.  If their findings
are not favourable then Parliament  may  well  pass an act restricting
age groups or banning some games.
        "Children today might  see  a  thousand  homicides  a  week on
television even before  playing  these  games,"  continued Dickens. "I
think that cheapens life and is dangerous."
        Veteran morals crusader  Mary  Whitehouse  is  also looking to
restrict the availability  of  violent  computer  games.  She said "to
produce something which is sadistically violent is irresponsible. It's
crazy."
        Dickens felt sure that  the  enquiries  research  would take a
very long time. "These  things  aren't  done overnight," he commented.
"These are awful things but Acts aren't passed by me sounding off."
        Nintendo in the US  has  recently  come  under attack for what
some researchers described  as  a  lack  of  responsibility in selling
violent games to impressionable youngsters.