Labour MP, Keith Vaz has launched another parliamentary attack on what he calls "harmful" video games.

The minister, who has previously campaigned against Manhunt 2, Bully and, most recently, the controversial terrorist attacks portrayed in 3, has called for a debate about the "harmful effects of violent video games" in the House of Commons.

In Parliament Vaz said: "Could we have a debate next week about the harmful effects of violent video games? Last week, the University of Indiana published research that showed that regularly playing those games resulted in physical changes in the brain. At a time when parents are thinking of purchasing video games for Christmas, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is important to hold a debate on this matter? This is not about - it is about protecting our children."

The University of Indiana research quoted was funded by The Center for Successful Parenting, a group whose aims involve "changing our culture to protect children from unhealthy media in all formats." This may call the objectivity of the study in to question.

Thanks GamesIndustry.biz.

By Ewan Aiton