§ 1. Mr. Patrick Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many prosecutions of schools there have been for infringements of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Bob Dunn)I am aware of none.
§ Mr. ThompsonI am relieved to hear that. I hope my hon. Friend can reassure the many head teachers in Norfolk and the country—and, indeed, at the same time the Master of Balliol college, Oxford — who are concerned about the rigorous licensing requirements of this Act that they will not face expenditure which they can ill afford before they can put on a play or concert for friends of the school and people from the community of which the school is a part.
§ Mr. DunnThis legislation is the concern of my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary. However, I understand that his Department takes the view that school events at which the audience is limited to staff and families of the pupils, and parent teacher functions where those attending are either members of the association or their guests, are not public entertainment and do not require a licence.