§ Mr. BowisTo ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on regulations for club theatres.
§ Mr. John Patten[holding answer 28 July 1988]: I have been asked to reply.
Public performances of plays are subject to the licensing requirements of the Theatres Act 1968. Premises licensed under the Act will be subject to local authority fire and safety regulations. Local authorities have no power to regulate the content of plays but the 1968 Act prohibits the presentation of obscene performances, whether in public or private, subject to certain defences. Performances of plays in clubs will not be subject to the licensing provisions of the Act if the public are not admitted.