HOT ISSUE: Should under-16s receive free contraceptive handouts?

YES - Mandana Hendessi, policy and campaigns director, YWCA

Research suggests that young people in the UK have become sexually active at a younger age. Forty years ago, the average age for first sex was 20 for men and 21 for women. Today it is 17 for both.

The numbers of young people sexually active by the age of 16 have doubled between 1965 and 1991, with the rise most striking for girls (Social Exclusion Unit 1999). Recent research found that just over a quarter of young women aged 16 to 19 first had sexual intercourse before they were 16.

Given these facts, it is important that young people have access to information and guidance on how to be safe when sexually active, whatever age they may be. For this reason, the YWCA supports the provision of information, guidance and contraceptives to all young people who are sexually active, including those who are under 16 years of age, so as to promote safe sex.

Ideally, this should be in a context that supports the young person in developing self-esteem and assertiveness in relationships. This is crucial for young women.

YES - Tink Palmer, policy officer, Barnardo's

My initial response is that all of us want children to engage in safe sex. We know that children are having sex at a younger age than before, so we have to help them do that in an informed way.

Because of our work, particularly around abuse through prostitution and the internet, my view has always been that young people caught up in the web of abusive prostitution are rarely making informed choices. What are we going to do to help them? A key issue is the duty of care to help their health.

My principal concern is that 11 is a very tender age. Young people of that age should get help and counselling as to why they are engaging in this lifestyle. For me, it's the issue of someone so young having access to it and who might be affecting their decision. If Marie Stopes sees a need for this, what is happening to school sex education? In the final analysis, it's a cautious yes.

NO - John Tripp, paediatrician and director of A Pause

Likely encouragement of early, secretive sexual activity far outweighs any possible benefit. Offering condoms freely and anonymously to children as young as 11 gives clear messages.

The supplier recognises that they have need of them and encourages their use with free supply. While true for a tiny minority (one or two per cent aged 12), it normalises underage intercourse. We should not give this message.

Acceptance that they will not want their parents to know suggests that deceit in an important area of their lives is a sensible option. Nearly all of those having sex in their early or pre-teens are likely to regret intercourse and its consequences later, and would benefit from parental or professional guidance. Many will be in an abusive relationship with someone older. For many, there will be adverse health and social consequences.

Condom handouts are unnecessary. They are readily available to all from vending machines. Any child competent to use the internet could easily obtain them. Disadvantages exceed possible advantages; motivation, not availability, determines use.

YES - Anne Weyman, chief executive, fpa

Young people need information about sex, relationships and contraception long before they become sexually active.

It is vital young people become familiar with condoms before they have sex. This means they will be better prepared to make informed choices when they decide they are ready to have sex. Ideally, condom provision should be combined with help and advice that enables young people to develop the confidence and skills needed to use condoms correctly and consistently.

Condoms are essential to reducing Britain's high rates of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. We welcome this initiative. Knowing about sex and contraception doesn't encourage sexual activity, but delays it, and enables young people to have healthy and happy personal lives.