Child Performances (Hansard, 19 November 2002)

§ Mrs. May
To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances employers are required to obtain a licence to allow children to take part in a performance; and what the maximum length of time is that a child is allowed to take part in(a) rehearsals and (b) performances (i) per day and (ii) per year, where a licence is required for the child's performance; and what is the minimum number of hours education a child must undergo on school days when taking part in a performance. [81753]

§ Jacqui Smith
The circumstances governing the issue of child performance licences are contained in the Children (Performances) Regulations 1968. In summary, an employer must obtain a licence for every performance in which a child is to take part unless the child will take part in no more than three performances and neither the child nor anyone on their behalf will receive payment in respect of the performance. The times allowed for a child to take part in a rehearsal or performance varies according to whether the performance is to be broadcast or recorded or not. If the performance is not to be broadcast or recorded, a child may not take part in a rehearsal or performance on more than six days in any period of seven days, nor may she or he take part in any rehearsal or performance if the entire production, including intervals, exceeds three and a half hours or of his or her part or appearances exceeds two and a half hours. She or he may not take part in more than one performance on any school day unless granted absence from school.
For children taking part in broadcast or recorded performances the chart identifies the time limits.
There is no limit to the number of days in a year on which a child may perform. This is decided on an individual basis for each child with account being taken of their health, welfare, general wellbeing and education.
99W

Daily working allowances and requirements of children taking part in broadcast and recorded performances

Age of child Maximum number of hours permitted at the place of performance or rehearsal Earliest and latest permitted times at that place Maximum period of continuous performance or rehearsal Maximum number of hours performance or rehearsal Minimal intervals for meals and rest Minimum number of hours education on school days if being privately taught¹

9 or over 9.5 7.00 am to 7.00 pm 1 hour 4 hours If present at the place of performance or rehearsal for more than four consecutive hours two, one of which must be at least an hour and the other at least 15 minutes. If at present at place of performance or rehearsal for more than eight consecutive hours three, two of which must each be at least an hour and the others at least 15 minutes 3

5 but under 9 7.5 9.00 am to 4.30 pm 45 minutes 3 hours If present at the place of performance or rehearsal for more than three and a half consecutive hours two, one of which must be at least one hour and the other at least 15 minutes. If present at the place of performance or rehearsal for more than eight consecutive hours three, two of which must each be at least an hour and the others at least 15 minutes 3

Under 5 5 9.30 am to 4.30 pm 30 minutes 2 hours Any time during which the child is not taking part in a performance or rehearsal must be used for meals, rest, and recreation —

¹ The time required for tuition, three hours per normal school day, may be aggregated over a four week period, or if engaged for less than four weeks for that period, provided that a child receives at least six hours tuition per week and no more than five hours in any one day

§ Mrs. May
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) statutory regulations and (b) guidelines issued to local authorities cover the granting of licences to employers for child performances; and what the (i) recommended, (ii) average and (iii) range of response times are for local authorities in the granting of licences to employers for child performances were in the last year for which figures are available. [81754]

§ Jacqui Smith
The Children (Performances) Regulations 1968, as amended govern the issue of child performance licences. Licences must be issued within 21 days of receipt of a complete application. Figures are not collected centrally on child employment licensing.

§ Mrs. May
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many licences were(a) granted to and (b) applied for by employers for child performances in each of the past three years. [81761]

§ Jacqui Smith
The figures requested are not collected centrally.

§ Mrs. May
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research he has carried out into the current arrangements for licensing child performances; and if he will place copies in the Library. [81762]

§ Jacqui Smith
The Government have not conducted research into the arrangements for child performance licensing.

Daily working allowances and requirements of children taking part in broadcast and recorded performances
Age of child	Maximum number of hours permitted at the place of performance or rehearsal	Earliest and latest permitted times at that place	Maximum period of continuous performance or rehearsal	Maximum number of hours performance or rehearsal	Minimal intervals for meals and rest	Minimum number of hours education on school days if being privately taught¹
9 or over	9.5	7.00 am to 7.00 pm	1 hour	4 hours	If present at the place of performance or rehearsal for more than four consecutive hours two, one of which must be at least an hour and the other at least 15 minutes. If at present at place of performance or rehearsal for more than eight consecutive hours three, two of which must each be at least an hour and the others at least 15 minutes	3
5 but under 9	7.5	9.00 am to 4.30 pm	45 minutes	3 hours	If present at the place of performance or rehearsal for more than three and a half consecutive hours two, one of which must be at least one hour and the other at least 15 minutes. If present at the place of performance or rehearsal for more than eight consecutive hours three, two of which must each be at least an hour and the others at least 15 minutes	3
Under 5	5	9.30 am to 4.30 pm	30 minutes	2 hours	Any time during which the child is not taking part in a performance or rehearsal must be used for meals, rest, and recreation	—
¹ The time required for tuition, three hours per normal school day, may be aggregated over a four week period, or if engaged for less than four weeks for that period, provided that a child receives at least six hours tuition per week and no more than five hours in any one day