§ 76. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that The Theatrical Employers Registration Act, 1925, fails in its primary object, which is the eliminaton of the bogus manager; and will he consider introducing legislation for the purpose of amending this Act so as to give the licensing authorities, who are responsible for the granting of licences under this Act, the power to cancel certificates or to refuse registration?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Captain Hacking)My right hon. Friend has received complaints to this effect, but he is not sure that the Act has been in force long enough to enable a judgment as to its effectiveness to be formed. Certain proposals for the amendment of the Act have been submitted to the Home Office by the London County Council, which will require and will receive very careful consideration but I can give no promise at all as regards the introduction of amending legislation.
§ Colonel DAYHave any other representations been made to the Home Office from licensing authorities in the country?
§ Captain HACKINGNot to my knowledge, but I should like to have notice of the question.
§ Colonel DAYWill the hon. Gentleman receive a deputation with regard to the amendment of this Act, which at present is not a protection at all and is not being carried out in the way in which it was intended to be carried out?
§ Captain HACKINGWhen application is made I will certainly give it my careful consideration; but there are so many people who desire interviews of that kind that it is very hard to comply with all the requests.