THE EARL OF BREADALBANE AND HOLLANDasked His Majesty's Government whether they are aware that the recommendations laid down in the Home Office leaflet dealing with Safety in Places of Public Entertainment are being contravened in the case of McLaren Hall, Killin, and whether as this is directly contrary to the spirit of Scottish Office Circular No. 2444 and as the safety of Allied hospital patients is involved, they will arrange for an investigation of and, if necessary, the revocation of the current cinematograph licence until the necessary steps to ensure safety have been taken.
792WA
VISCOUNT CLIFDENMy right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has made inquiry and is satisfied that the local licensing authority, in exercise of the discretion entrusted to them by Section 2 of the Cinematograph Act, 1909, have taken steps to ensure that the Cinematograph Regulations of 1923, as amended, are duly observed. At their meeting on May 8 the local licensing authority revoked the annual licence originally granted to the trustees of the hall on November 6, 1936, and issued a new licence based on recommendations made by the Police Committee after inspection of the premises.
The revised licence provides, among other things, that the seating accommodation in the balcony shall be limited to 6o seats, that no persons shall be allowed to stand in the balcony, and that persons who are limbless or who use crutches shall not be accommodated there. Any question of the revocation of a licence is, under the Act, a matter for the county council as licensing authority.
House adjourned.