THE issue of 75,000 free condoms to youngsters in East Lancashire in a bid to slash disturbingly-high levels of teenage pregnancies has inevitably caused controversy over whether the problem will be reduced or whether teenage sex will only be encouraged as a result.

But, either way, has not another group a right to a say in this debate - other than promiscuous kids and the health officials? Namely, parents.

Should they not have a say in whether their children - minors, no less - are assisted by the state to pursue sexual adventures, albeit in a supposedly safer way?

Will the advocates of this scheme at the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Primary Care Group tell us whether parental consent is sought for the condom hand-outs? And, more importantly, will they assure us that none will be dished out to under-age children?