MSPs today called for further research into the prominence of sexual imagery on goods aimed at children amid concerns the issue may have been hyped up.

MSPs today called for further research into the prominence of sexual imagery on goods aimed at children amid concerns the issue may have been hyped up.

Holyrood's equal opportunities committee is worried that merchandise - such as Playboy pencil cases - can be inappropriately aimed at under-16s.

But Liberal Democrat Hugh O'Donnell said the concerns are based on anecdotal evidence and that the extent of public concern has to be established.

"I have to say my particular constituency mailbag hasn't been jammed with concern about that," he told the committee.

"So can we find out to what extent we're actually hyping this up?"

The committee called for a briefing paper setting out how ethically sound research can be conducted.

MSPs were told any guideline costs will not be made public unless a contract is awarded.

Holyrood has a £160,000 budget for all its committees to use over the year.

The committee decided to discuss the research proposal at a future meeting before making a final decision on whether to proceed with the investigation.

SNP MSP Sandra White said: "We do need more research. I think there is some evidence to show that the goods we're talking about do sexualise children."

Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm questioned whether Holyrood had any scope to investigate the issue.

"My instinct is not to go forward with this," he said.

"Any action on this is very much outwith the powers of this Parliament."

Last month, the committee held discussions with academics and a children's charity over their concerns.

Playboy and the Scottish Retail Consortium refused invitations to attend and rejected accusations that inappropriate goods are aimed at children.