HC Deb 22 March 1888 vol 324 c23
MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, having regard to the public exhibitions of young children in acrobatic and other performances apparently dangerous to the life and limbs of children now taking place in the Metropolis, If it is the duty of the Metropolitan Police, or of the Metropolitan Board of Works, or of what other Public Authority, to take action, where necessary, under the provisions of "The Children's Dangerous Performances Act, 1879?"

THE SECRETARY or STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

The Statute referred to does not give the power, or impose the duty, of taking action upon the police or the Metropolitan Board of Works or any Public Authority. The Act leaves it open to any person, or Society, to initiate a prosecution in a proper case. I understand that there is a Society which has occasionally taken proceedings under this Act.