§ 33. Mr. MARKHAMasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the British Empire Boys' Band has been refused permission by the Home Office to tour South Africa; and the reasons for this refusal?
§ Sir J. SIMONMy hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Permission has been refused not by the Home Office but by a magistrate of the Metropolitan Police Courts in Bow Street in the exercise of his statutory discretion under Section 25 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933.
§ Mr. MARKHAMIs there any method by which this statutory discretion of the magistrate can be reviewed by the Home Office?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, I do not think so. The Section in question provides that persons under the age of 18, like these children, may not be taken abroad for the purpose of singing, playing, etc., for profit without a licence from a police magistrate, who is required by the Section to be satisfied as to the arrangements made for the treatment of the young persons when abroad.