THE European Parliament's powerful environment committee has backed the banning of 'incandescent' light bulbs - but East Devon's Giles Chichester has warned that 'it's too soon'. South West Euro MP, and former chairman of the EU energy committee, Conserva

THE European Parliament's powerful environment committee has backed the banning of 'incandescent' light bulbs - but East Devon's Giles Chichester has warned that 'it's too soon'.South West Euro MP, and former chairman of the EU energy committee, Conservative Giles Chichester, of West Hill, says that it is now up to the Government to decide when the ban should be introduced. Throughout war, disaster and recession, the traditional incandescent light bulbs have kept Britain illuminated for more than 120 years.But, at the end of last year, some retailers stopped replenishing stocks of the conventional 100 watt bulbs in a voluntary withdrawal - part of a campaign to force people into buying low-energy fluorescent bulbs.However, the moves angered medical charities who say the low-energy alternatives can trigger a host of ailments, including migraines, epilepsy and skin rashes.Mr Chichester said: "I feel it is too soon to make such a decision."I am concerned that the technology used in the manufacture of fluorescent energy saving light bulbs is still at an early stage. "There is evidence that the flicker rate of these bulbs has an adverse effect on medical conditions such as migraine, autism and epilepsy; also, that these bulbs are expensive and current light fittings and switches are not always compatible. "Before introducing a blanket ban on the use of incandescent light bulbs, we should first concentrate on developing a well researched, energy saving alternative."UKIP spokesman John Kelly said: "...the change to CFL light bulbs is the drive to reduce the use of fossil-fuelled power stations, on the unproven predication that global warming is caused by man-made energy generation. Despite that, the politicians have leapt onto a global warming bandwagon, none more so than the EU, to raise taxes and ban the use of items such as incandescent lightbulbs... "This action is badly researched and considered... If we left the EU we would be free to govern ourselves according to our own needs and wishes.