§ Lord HENRY CAVENDISH - BENTINCKasked the Home Secretary if he will state the number and ages of children under fourteen years of age licensed in London and in county boroughs during the past year for the purpose of taking part in theatrical entertainments?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Churchill)These licences are granted locally by the 2432 petty sessional courts, and no returns in regard to them are received by the Home Office. I have made inquiry of the London County Council on the subject as far as regards London, and am informed that the figures for 1910–1911 are not yet available, but that for the preceding year the total number of children licensed was 245, of whom forty were under eleven, sixty-six under twelve, sixty-seven under thirteen, and seventy-two under fourteen.