§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of complaints that children seek and gain entrance to cinemas where A and H films are being shown by requesting adult patrons who are strangers to accompany them as parents or guardians; and whether, in view of the impossibility of proving that those who consent are not parents or guardians of the children, he can empower appropriate administrative authorities to prevent all children seeing unsuitable A or H films.
§ Mr. PeakeThe question whether certain films which are not classified as suitable for universal exhibition should be absolutely barred by the local licensing authorities for all children and young persons under 16, or should be barred only for those who are not accompanied by a parent or adult guardian, was carefully considered in 1932 by a Consultative Committee containing representatives of the local licensing authorities in England and Wales. This Committee, while recognising that the risk of evasion to which my hon. Friend refers cannot be altogether eliminated, nevertheless came to the conclusion that a condition which leaves some discretion and responsibility to the parents is better than one which deprives parents of any discretion, including discretion to differentiate between children of eight or 10 and those of 14 or 15. The experience of the Home Office supported this view, and an explanatory circular of advice was sent to the local licensing authorities. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of that circular.