The British Board of Film Classification has firmly rebutted suggestions that increased BBFC screening of games (an initiative that was put forward in last March's Byron Report) will lead to games becoming more expensive and suffering delays in the UK.

Last week, both Microsoft and EA top brass expressed concerns about increased BBFC screening of videogames. The contentious issue is that if the BBFC is to rate any games that come under its '12' rating (as was the advice put forward in Dr. Tanya Byron's report), then it may cause an extra layer of bureaucracy that could harm the UK game industry.

EA's Vice-President and General Manager in the UK, Keith Ramsdale, argued that these changes to the rating system could cause delays to the release of hit games in the region. Speaking to GI.biz, the BBFC's Director, David Cooke, had this in response:

"The BBFC's current average turnaround time for games classifications is eight calendar days. In terms of international comparisons, this is notably quick. There is no reason why the increased role for the BBFC envisaged by Dr Byron should lead to delays."

Microsoft's Senior Regional Director of its Entertainment and Devices Division, Neil Thompson, was also critical of Dr. Byron's proposed reforms. He expressed concerns that more BBFC screening could lead to game prices rising. Once again, the BBFC Director pulled no punches:

"BBFC classifications are already cheaper for many games than those under the Pan European Games Information System," said Cooke. "Because the BBFC currently deals mainly with the most problematic games, BBFC costs will fall if, as Dr Byron recommended, we take on all games, physical and online, rated '12' and above."

In a sound defensive move that would impress even the most ardent Total War fanatics, Cooke also dismissed suggestions that the BBFC will not be able to handle the influx of content it will have to rate concerning online and user-generated games.

"It is absurd to imply that the BBFC could not cope, or would need "a building the size of Milton Keynes". The BBFC is a larger and better resourced organisation than PEGI," Cooke asserted, "and is well used to gearing up, and to providing fast-track services where appropriate. We reject any suggestions that the Byron proposals for dealing with online games are not future-proof."

Well, there you have it. He sounds pretty convincing.