The Children (Performances) Regulations 1968

• Citation: S.I. 1968/1728
• Sections: 51

Section 1 Application for a licence

(1) An application to a licensing authority for a licence authorising a child to take part in a performance to which section 37 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963 applies shall be made in writing in the form set out in Schedule 1 to these Regulations or in a form to the like effect and shall be signed by the applicant and a parent of the child and shall be accompanied by the documents specified therein.

(2) The applicant shall be the person responsible for the production of the performance in which the child is to take part.

(3) The licensing authority may refuse to grant a licence if the application form is not received by them at least twenty-one days before the day on which the first performance for which the licence is required takes place.

Section 2 Power of licensing authorities to obtain additional information

(1) The licensing authority may make such inquiries as they consider necessary to enable them to be satisfied that they should grant a licence as required by section 37(4) of the Act, and in particular they may request a report from the head teacher in respect of the child, they may request that the child be medically examined in order to ascertain whether he is fit to take part in the performances for which the licence is requested and that his health will not suffer by reason of taking part in such performances and may interview the applicant, the child and his parents and the proposed matron and private teacher (if any).

(2) The licensing authority may make such inquiries as they consider necessary to enable them to consider, if a licence should be granted, whether the licence should be granted subject to a condition relating to the manner in which sums earned by the child in taking part in any performance to which the licence relates should be dealt with.

Section 3 Form of licence

(1) A licence granted to an applicant by a licensing authority shall be in the form set out in Schedule 2 to these Regulations or in a form to the like effect.

(2) The licence shall specify the names, dates, places and nature of the performances except that in the case of a licence granted to the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Independent Television Authority, a programme contractor within the meaning of section 1(5) of the Television Act 1964 or a body supplying programmes to such a programme contractor to be broadcast by the Independent Television Authority or a licence authorising a child to take part in a performance to be recorded (by whatever means) with a view to its use in a film intended for public exhibition the licence may, if the applicant so requests in the application form, in lieu of specifying the said dates, specify the number of days on which the child may perform, and the period, not exceeding six months, in which the performances may take place.

(3) One print of the photograph of the child accompanying the application form shall be attached to the licence; the other print shall be retained by the licensing authority.

(4) The licensing authority shall send a copy of the licence to the parent who signed the application form.

Section 4 Particulars to sent be to a local authority under section 39(3) of the Act

Where a place of performance specified in a licence is in the area of another local authority, the licensing authority shall send to that local authority a copy of the application form and the licence and such other information, if any, relating to the child as they think appropriate.

Section 5 Records to be kept by the holder of a licence under section 39(5) of the Act

The holder of a licence shall keep the records specified in Schedule 3 to these Regulations, and shall retain them for six months after the performance or last performance to which the licence relates.

Section 6 Number of performing days

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Regulation, a licensing authority shall not grant a licence—

(a) in respect of a child who has attained the age of thirteen years if, during the twelve months preceding any performance in respect of which a licence is requested, he will have taken part in other performances on more than seventy-nine days;

(b) in respect of a child who has not attained the age of thirteen years if, during the twelve months preceding any performance in respect of which a licence is requested, he will have taken part in other performances on more than thirty-nine days.

(2) The relevant number of days of other performances specified in paragraph (1) of this Regulation may be increased by four if the licensing authority so determine:

Provided that the licensing authority shall not so determine if the child has taken part in a performance on any of the six days preceding any of the said four additional days of performance.

(3) Where application is made for a licence for a child to take part in a performance to be recorded (by whatever means) with a view to its use in a television broadcast or in a film intended for public exhibition and—

(a) the child will not have taken part in any performance other than such a performance as aforesaid during the twelve months preceding the performance in respect of which the licence is requested, and

(b) the purpose of the performance for which the licence is requested is to continue the recording of a performance which is incomplete,

the relevant number of days of other performances specified in paragraph (1) of this Regulation may be increased by ten if the licensing authority so determine.

(4) In deciding whether or not to grant a licence and, if a licence should be granted, the number of days in respect of which it should be granted, the licensing authority shall take into account—

(a) the arrangements for rehearsals taking place during the fourteen days preceding the day of the first performance for which the licence is requested, and

(b) any other form of employment in which the child is employed during the twenty-eight days preceding the day of the first performance for which the licence is requested.

(5) In this Regulation the expression “ other performances ” includes an entertainment for which a licence under section 22(1) or (6) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 has been granted, an entertainment for which by section 22(2) of that Act (charitable performance) a licence is not necessary and a performance for which by section 29(1) of that Act (broadcast performance) a licence is not necessary .

Section 7 Troupe work

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this Regulation, a licensing authority shall not grant a licence in respect of a child who has attained the age of thirteen years if the child—

(a) by reason of taking part in any performance for which the licence is requested will have to live elsewhere than at the place where he would otherwise live, and

(b) has during the three months preceding the performance for which the licence is requested or, if the licence is requested for more than one performance, the first performance, lived elsewhere than at the place where he would otherwise have lived by reason of taking part in a performance.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall not apply where—

(a) the licence is for acting and the part the child is to act cannot be taken except by a child of about his age, or

(b) the licence is for dancing in a ballet which does not form part of an entertainment of which anything other than ballet or opera also forms part and the part the child is to dance cannot be taken except by a child of about his age, or

(c) the nature of the child's part in the performance is wholly or mainly musical and either the nature of the performance is also wholly or mainly musical or the performance consists only of opera and ballet.

(3) On the extension of the compulsory school age (or, in Scotland, school age) to sixteen years, that is to say—

(a) in England and Wales, on the coming into force of an Order in Council under section 35 of the Education Act 1944, and

(b) in Scotland, on the coming into force of regulations under section 32 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1962,

paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall have effect as if for the word “thirteen” there were substituted the word “fourteen” .

Section 8 Medical examinations

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this Regulation, a licensing authority shall not grant a licence—

(a) for performances for film or television, or

(b) for broadcast performances, other than performances for television, with respect to which the applicant for the purposes of Regulation 3(2) of these Regulations requests in the application form that the child may perform on more than six days in a period not exceeding six months, or

(c) for other performances if the child would perform on the maximum number of days in a week permitted under Part IV or V of these Regulations, as the case may be, and for a period exceeding one week,

unless the school medical officer, or other medically qualified person approved by them, has examined the child and has certified that he is fit to take part in the performances for which the licence is requested and that his health will not suffer by reason of taking part in such performances.

(2) Where a child has been medically examined under paragraph (1) of this Regulation, he need not be medically examined in order that a further licence may be granted in respect of a performance taking place within a period of six months from the date of the said medical examination unless it appears desirable to the licensing authority that he should be medically examined.

Section 9 Application of Part III

The restrictions and conditions specified in this Part of these Regulations shall apply in the case of every licence.

Section 10 Education

(1) The licensing authority shall not grant a licence unless they are satisfied that the child's education will not suffer by reason of taking part in the performances for which the licence is requested and have approved the arrangements (if any) for the education of the child during the currency of the licence.

(2) The holder of the licence shall ensure that the arrangements for the child's education during the currency of the licence, approved by the licensing authority, are carried out.

(3) The licensing authority shall not approve any arrangements for the education of a child by a private teacher unless they are satisfied that—

(a) the course of study proposed for the child is satisfactory;

(b) the said course of study will be properly taught by the private teacher;

(c) the private teacher is a suitable person to teach the child in question; and

(d) the private teacher will not teach more than five other children at the same time, or, if the other children being taught at the same time have reached a similar standard in the subject to the child in question, eleven.

(4)

(a) The licensing authority shall not approve any arrangements for the education of a child by a private teacher unless they are satisfied that the child will, during the currency of the licence, receive education for periods which, when aggregated, total not less than three hours on each day on which the child would be required to attend school if he were a pupil attending a school maintained by the local authority (or, in Scotland, a public school).

(b) The requirements of sub-paragraph ( a ) of this paragraph shall be deemed to be satisfied if, in a case to which this sub-paragraph applies, the licensing authority are satisfied that the child will receive education—

(i) for not less than six hours a week,

(ii) during each complete period of four weeks on location, or, if there is a period on location of less than four weeks, during that period, for periods not less than the aggregate periods of education required by sub-paragraph ( a ) of this paragraph in respect of the period on location,

(iii) on days other than days on which the child would not be required to attend school if he were a pupil attending a school maintained by the local authority (or, in Scotland, a public school), and

(iv) for not more than five hours on any such day.

(c) Sub-paragraph ( b ) of this paragraph applies—

(i) if the performances to which the licence relates are to be recorded (by whatever means) with a view to their use in a broadcast or in a film intended for public exhibition,

(ii) to any period of recording on location exceeding one week.

(d) In calculating any period of education for the purposes of this paragraph there shall be disregarded—

(i) any period which takes place, in the case of a child taking part in a performance to be recorded (by whatever means) with a view to its use in a broadcast or film intended for public exhibition, other than during the hours when he is permitted to be present at a place of performance or rehearsal under Regulations 27 to 29 of these Regulations, or, in any other case, which takes place other than between the hours of nine in the morning and four in the afternoon,

(ii) any period which is less than thirty minutes.

(e) In this paragraph the expression “ on location ” means at a place which is one mile or more from any film or broadcasting studio (including any land adjacent to the studio and occupied and used in connection with it) .

(5) Any licence under which a child is to be taught by a private teacher shall be subject to the condition that the local authority approve the schoolroom or other place where the child is to receive education, and the local authority may give their approval subject to such conditions as they consider necessary to ensure that the place is suitable for the child's education.

Section 11 Earnings

(1) Where the licensing authority think fit, they may grant a licence subject to a condition requiring the holder of the licence to ensure that the sums earned by the child in respect of whom the licence is granted in taking part in a performance to which the licence relates, or such part of those sums as may be required by the condition, shall be dealt with in a manner approved by the licensing authority.

(2) Any such condition shall be set out in the licence.

Section 12 Matrons

(1) A person, who may be a man or a woman, approved by the licensing authority (in these Regulations referred to as a matron) shall be in charge of the child at all times during the period beginning with the first and ending with the last performance to which the licence relates except while the child is in the charge of a parent or teacher.

(2) The licensing authority shall not approve a matron unless they are satisfied that she is suitable and competent to exercise proper care and control of a child of the age and sex of the child in question and that she will not be prevented from carrying out her duties towards the child by other activities or duties towards other children.

(3) Without prejudice to the last foregoing paragraph, the licensing authority shall not approve a matron if she is to be in charge of more than eleven other children during the time when she would be in charge of the child in question if approval were given.

(4) The licensing authority shall not approve as matron the private teacher of the child in question if she is to be in charge of more than two other children during the time when she would be in charge of the child if approval were given.

(5) A matron while in charge of a child under this Regulation shall have the care and control of the child with a view to securing his health, comfort, kind treatment and moral welfare.

(6) Where a child suffers any injury or illness while in the charge of a matron or teacher, the holder of the licence shall ensure that the parent of the child named in the application form and the local authority are notified immediately of such injury or illness.

Section 13 Lodgings

(1) Where by reason of taking part in a performance a child has to live elsewhere than at the place where he would otherwise live, that child shall live only in premises which have been approved by the local authority as suitable for occupation by him.

(2) The local authority's approval may be subject to any of the following conditions:—

(a) that transport for the child from the said premises to the place of performance or rehearsal is provided;

(b) that suitable arrangements are made for meals for the child;

(c) any other condition conducive to the welfare of the child in connection with the premises in which the child will live.

Section 14 Place of performance and place of rehearsal

(1) A child shall not take part in a performance or rehearsal unless the place of performance or rehearsal has been approved by the local authority.

(2) The local authority shall not approve the place of performance or rehearsal unless they are satisfied that, having regard to the age of the child and the nature, time and duration of the performance or rehearsal—

(a) suitable arrangements have been made for meals for the child, for the child to dress for the performance or rehearsal, and for the child's rest and recreation, when not taking part in a performance or rehearsal;

(b) the place is provided with suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities, and

(c) the child will be adequately protected against inclement weather,

and their approval may be given subject to such conditions as they consider necessary for the purposes of this paragraph.

(3) Arrangements for a child who has attained the age of five years to dress for a performance or rehearsal shall not be deemed to be suitable unless such a child can dress only with children of the same sex as the child in question.

Section 15 Arrangements for getting home

The holder of the licence shall ensure that suitable arrangements (having regard to the child's age) are made for the child to get to his home or other destination after the last performance or rehearsal on any day.

Section 16 Break in performances

(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Regulation, a child who takes part in performances, other than performances in a circus, or rehearsals on the maximum number of days in a week permitted under Part IV or V of these Regulations, as the case may be, for a period of eight consecutive weeks, shall not take part in any performance or rehearsal or be employed in any other form of employment during the fourteen days next ensuing.

(2) This Regulation shall not apply if the number of days specified in the licence on which the child may perform is less than sixty.

Section 17 Further medical examinations

(1)

(a) Where a licence specifies the dates of performances and these fall on days in four consecutive weeks or more or where a licence specifies the period in which performances may take place and such period is one month or more, the holder of the licence shall ensure that the child is medically examined within forty-eight hours after the end of each such period of four weeks or each month, as the case may be, in order to ascertain whether he is fit to take part in any further performances for which the licence has been granted and whether his health will suffer by reason of taking part in such performances.

(b) The holder of the licence shall obtain from the person making the medical examination a report stating whether in his opinion the child is fit to take part in any further performances for which the licence has been granted and whether his health will suffer by reason of taking part in such performances.

(c) If the report states that the child is not fit or that his health would suffer as aforesaid, he shall not take part in any further performance until the person making the medical examination has certified that the child is fit to take part and that his health will not suffer thereby.

(2) Where a child has been medically examined under Regulation 8(1) of these Regulations, that child shall be medically examined during the seven days immediately following the day of the last performance to which the licence relates unless the licensing authority are satisfied, having regard to the date of the last medical examination of the child under these Regulations and the number and nature of performances in which the child has taken part, that no such medical examination is necessary.

(3) Where a medical examination is required under this Regulation, it shall be carried out by the school medical officer of the licensing authority or of the local authority or other medically qualified person approved by either of the said authorities; and a copy of the medical report shall be sent to the licensing authority.

Section 18 Restriction on employment

(1) On the day on which or on the day immediately following the day on which a child takes part in a performance, he shall not be employed in any other form of employment.

(2) On the day on which a child takes part in a performance for which a licence has been granted, he shall not take part in a performance for which a licence is not required.

Section 19 Production of licence

The holder of a licence shall on request produce the licence at all reasonable hours at the place of performance to an authorised officer of the local authority or a constable.

Section 20 Licences to which Part IV applies

The restrictions and conditions specified in this Part of these Regulations shall apply in the case of every licence authorising a child to take part in a performance other than a broadcast performance or a performance to be recorded (by whatever means) with a view to its use in a broadcast or in a film intended for public exhibition.

Section 21 Maximum number of days in a week on which a child may take part in performances and rehearsals

(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Regulation, a child shall not take part in performances or rehearsals to which this Part of these Regulations applies on more than six consecutive days.

(2) Where in any period of seven days a child takes part in performances or rehearsals to some of which this Part of these Regulations applies and to others of which Part V of these Regulations applies, he shall not take part in such performances or rehearsals on more than five days in that period.

Section 22 Maximum number and length of performances and rehearsals daily

(1) A child shall not take part in a performance or rehearsal the duration of which exceeds three and a half hours.

(2) A child shall not take part in a performance or rehearsal if the duration of his appearances in the performance or rehearsal exceeds two and a half hours.

(3) A child shall not take part in more than one performance or rehearsal on any day unless he performs the same part in the performances or rehearsals, except where he takes the place of another performer in the same performance, and the performances or rehearsals are of the same nature.

(4) On any day on which a child is required to attend school after the morning session he shall not take part in more than one performance or rehearsal.

(5) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Regulation, a child on any other day shall not take part in more than two performances or rehearsals or more than one performance and one rehearsal.

(6)

(a) Subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (b) of this paragraph, a child shall not take part in more than one performance or rehearsal on any day unless there is an interval of not less than one and a half hours between the end of his part in the first performance or rehearsal and the beginning of his part in the second performance or rehearsal.

(b) On not more than two days in any week a child may take part in more than one performance or rehearsal on any day if—

(i) there is an interval of not less than forty-five minutes between the end of his part in the first performance or rehearsal and the beginning of his part in the second performance or rehearsal; and

(ii) he is not present at the place of performance or rehearsal on such a day for more than six hours.

(7) Notwithstanding paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) of this Regulation and subject to paragraph (3) of this Regulation, where a child takes part in a performance in a circus—

(a) on any day on which he is required to attend school after the morning session, he may take part in not more than two performances or rehearsals or not more than one performance and one rehearsal;

(b) on any other day, he may take part in not more than three performances or rehearsals:

Provided that—

(i) he shall not take part in more than one performance or rehearsal unless there is an interval of not less than one and a half hours between the end of his part in one performance or rehearsal and the beginning of his part in the next performance or rehearsal, and

(ii) the duration of his appearance in a performance or rehearsal does not exceed thirty minutes.

Section 23 Earliest and latest hours at place of performance and place of rehearsal

(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Regulation, a child shall not be present at a place of performance or rehearsal after whichever is the earlier of the two following times:—

(a) ten in the evening, if he has not attained the age of thirteen years, or half-past ten if he has;

(b) thirty minutes after the end of his part in the performance or rehearsal or the last performance or rehearsal.

(2) If in order to enable a child to take part in a performance the child's presence at the place of performance is required after the latest permitted time specified in paragraph (1) of this Regulation, he may be present at the place of performance not later than eleven in the evening on not more than three evenings in a week, provided that he is not so present on more than eight evenings in a period of four consecutive weeks.

(3) A child shall not be present at a place of performance or rehearsal before ten in the morning, and on the day immediately following a day on which a child has taken part in a performance or rehearsal he shall not take part in a performance or rehearsal until after the expiration of not less than fourteen hours from the end of his part in the performance or rehearsal in which he last performed on the preceding day.

(4) This Regulation shall not apply with respect to a place of performance or rehearsal where the child lives or receives education in that place.

Section 24 Licences to which Part V applies

The restrictions and conditions specified in this Part of these Regulations shall apply in the case of every licence authorising a child to take part in a broadcast performance or a performance to be recorded (by whatever means) with a view to its use in a broadcast or a film intended for public exhibition.

Section 25 Maximum number of days in a week on which a child may take part in performances and rehearsals

Where in any period of seven days a child takes part in performances or rehearsals to all of which this Part of these Regulations applies or to some of which this Part applies and to others of which Part IV of these Regulations applies, he shall not take part in such performances or rehearsals on more than five days in that period.

Section 26 Limitation on daily performances

On any day a child may take part only in performances or rehearsals which are of the same nature and in which he performs the same part or takes the place of another performer in the same performance.

Section 27 Children aged thirteen or more

(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Regulation, a child who has attained the age of thirteen years shall not be present at a place of performance or rehearsal—

(a) for more than eight hours a day;

(b) before nine in the morning or after seven in the evening, except that a child may be present after half-past eight in the morning if on the preceding day he was not present after half-past six in the evening.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Regulation, where the holder of the licence is the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Independent Television Authority, a programme contractor within the meaning of section 1(5) of the Television Act 1964 or a body supplying programmes to such a programme contractor to be broadcast by the Independent Television Authority, a child who has attained the age of thirteen years may—

(a) be present in any week at a place of performance or rehearsal between the hours of ten in the morning and ten in the evening—

(i) for not more than twelve hours on any one day, or

(ii) for not more than ten hours a day on any two days, or

(iii) for not more than eight hours a day on any three days,

if he is not present at a place of performance or rehearsal on any other day in that week and has not been present at a place of performance or rehearsal after seven in the evening on more than twenty days during the preceding twelve months; or

(b) be present on one day in any week at a place of performance or rehearsal for not more than twelve hours between the hours of ten in the morning and ten in the evening, provided that—

(i) he is not present at the place of performance or rehearsal for more than four hours on any other day in that week;

(ii) he does not take part in a performance or rehearsal for a total period of more than two hours on any other day in that week;

(iii) he does not take part in a performance or rehearsal on the day immediately following the day on which he has been present at the place of performance or rehearsal after seven in the evening in accordance with this paragraph; and

(iv) he has not been present at a place of performance or rehearsal after seven in the evening in accordance with this paragraph on any day during the six preceding days.

(3) A child who has attained the age of thirteen years shall not take part in a performance or rehearsal on any day—

(a) for a continuous period of more than one hour without an interval for rest;

(b) for a total period of more than three and a half hours.

(4) A child who has attained the age of thirteen years shall not be present at a place of performance or rehearsal—

(a) for more than four consecutive hours without there being two or more intervals of which one shall be fore the purpose of a meal and shall be of not less than one hour and the other or others shall be for the purpose of rest and shall not be less than fifteen minutes;

(b) for more than eight consecutive hours without there being three or more intervals of which two shall be for the purposes of meals and shall each be of not less than one hour and the other or others shall be for the purpose of rest and shall not be less than fifteen minutes.

(5) In calculating the number of hours on any day during which a child is present at a place of performance or rehearsal, there shall, in the case of a child for whom arrangements for his education by a private teacher have been approved by the licensing authority, be included any periods of education taken into account for the purpose of complying with the requirements of Regulation 10(4) of these Regulations, whether or not they take place at the place of performance or rehearsal.

Section 28 Children aged five to twelve

(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Regulation, a child who has attained the age of five years but has not attained the age of thirteen years shall not be present at a place of performance or rehearsal—

(a) for more than seven and a half hours a day;

(b) before nine in the morning or after half-past four in the afternoon, except that a child who has attained the age of ten years may be present until five in the afternoon.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Regulation, Regulation 27(2) of these Regulations shall apply to a child who has attained the age of twelve years as if for the word “thirteen” there were substituted the word “twelve” and for the words “seven in the evening” wherever they occur there were substituted the words “five in the afternoon” .

(3) A child who has attained the age of five years but has not attained the age of thirteen years shall not take part in a performance or rehearsal on any day—

(a) for a continuous period of more than forty-five minutes without an interval for rest;

(b) for a total period of more than three hours.

(4) A child who has attained the age of five years but has not attained the age of thirteen years shall not be present at a place of performance or rehearsal—

(a) for more than three and a half consecutive hours without there being two or more intervals of which one shall be for the purpose of a meal and shall be of not less than one hour and the other or others shall be for the purpose of rest and shall not be less than fifteen minutes;

(b) for more than eight consecutive hours without there being three or more intervals of which two shall be for the purposes of meals and shall each be of not less than one hour and the other or others shall be for the purpose of rest and shall not be less than fifteen minutes.

(5) In calculating the number of hours on any day during which a child is present at a place of performance or rehearsal, there shall, in the case of a child for whom arrangements for his education by a private teacher have been approved by the licensing authority, be included any periods of education taken into account for the purpose of complying with the requirements of Regulation 10(4) of these Regulations, whether or not they take place at the place of performance or rehearsal.

Section 29 Children under five

(1) A child who has not attained the age of five years shall not be present at a place of performance or rehearsal—

(a) for more than five hours a day;

(b) before half-past nine in the morning or after half-past four in the afternoon.

(2) Such a child shall not take part in a performance or rehearsal on any day—

(a) for a continuous period of more than thirty minutes without an interval for rest;

(b) for a total period of more than two hours.

(3) Any time during which such a child is present at a place of performance or rehearsal, but is not taking part in a performance or rehearsal, shall be used for the purposes of meals, rest and recreation.

Section 30 Night-work

(1) Notwithstanding anything in Regulations 27 to 29 these Regulations, but subject to the restrictions and conditions laid down in paragraph (2) of this Regulation, where the local authority are satisfied that a scene must be recorded out of doors and after the latest permitted hour, they may permit a child to take part in a performance after the latest permitted hour, but they shall only permit the child to take part in a performance after midnight and before the earliest permitted hour if they are satisfied that it is impracticable for the recording of the performance to be completed before midnight.

(2) Where the local authority permit a child to take part in a performance after the latest permitted hour, the following restrictions and conditions shall apply:—

(a) the number of hours during which the child takes part in a performance after the latest permitted hour shall be included in computing the maximum number of hours during which he may take part in a performance or rehearsal on any one day under Regulations 27 to 29 of these Regulations;

(b) the child shall not take part in any other performance or rehearsal until not less than sixteen hours have elapsed since the end of his part in the performance;

(c) where the child takes part in a performance after the latest permitted hour on two successive days, the local authority shall not permit him to take part in any further performance after the latest permitted hour during the seven days immediately following the said two days.

(3) In this Regulation “ latest permitted hour ” and “ earliest permitted hour ” in relation to a particular child mean the latest hour and the earliest hour respectively at which that child may be present at the place of performance or rehearsal under Regulations 27 to 29 of these Regulations .

Section 31 Exceptions to Regulations 27 to 29

(1)

(a) The matron in charge of a child may allow that child to take part in a performance for a period not exceeding thirty minutes immediately following the latest permitted hour if—

(i) the total number of hours during which the child takes part in a performance, including the said period of thirty minutes, does not exceed the maximum number of hours permitted under Regulations 27 to 29 of these Regulations;

(ii) it appears to the matron that the welfare of the child will not be prejudiced, and

(iii) it appears to the matron that the conditions necessitating the child taking part in a performance after the latest permitted hour arose in circumstances outside the control of the holder of the licence.

(b) If a child takes part in a performance after the latest permitted hour under this Regulation, the holder of the licence shall ensure that the matron notifies the local authority not later than the day immediately following the day on which that child takes part in the performance.

(c) In this Regulation “ latest permitted hour ” in relation to a particular child means the latest hour at which that child may be present at the place of performance or rehearsal under Regulations 27 to 29 of these Regulations .

(2) The matron in charge of a child may allow one of the intervals to be set aside for the purposes of meals under Regulation 27 or 28 of these Regulations, as the case may be, to be reduced where the child is taking part in a performance or rehearsal out of doors, provided that—

(a) the duration of that interval is not less than thirty minutes, and

(b) the maximum number of hours during which he may take part in a performance or rehearsal under the said Regulation 27 or 28 is not exceeded.

Section 32 Performances for which a licence is not required, other than broadcast or recorded performances

Regulations 33 and 34 of these Regulations shall apply in the case of a child taking part in a performance for which by reason of section 37(3)(a) of the Act a licence is not required, being a performance other than a broadcast performance or a performance to be recorded (by whatever means) with a view to its use in a broadcast or in a film intended for public exhibition.

Section 33 Maximum number and length of performances daily

(1) A child shall not take part in a performance the duration of which exceeds three and a half hours.

(2) A child shall not take part in a performance if the duration of his appearances in the performance exceeds two and a half hours.

(3) A child shall not take part in more than one performance on any day unless he performs the same part in the performances, except where he takes the place of another performer in the same performance, and the performances are of the same nature.

(4) On any day on which a child is required to attend school after the morning session he shall not take part in more than one performance.

(5) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Regulation, a child on any other day shall not take part in more than two performances.

(6)

(a) Subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph ( b ) of this paragraph, a child shall not take part in more than one performance on any day unless there is an interval of not less than one and a half hours between the end of his part in the first performance and the beginning of his part in the second performance.

(b) On not more than two days in any week a child may take part in more than one performance on any day if—

(i) there is an interval of not less than forty-five minutes between the end of his part in the first performance and the beginning of his part in the second performance; and

(ii) he is not present at the place of performance on such a day for more than six hours.

(7) Notwithstanding paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) of this Regulation and subject to paragraph (3) of this Regulation, where a child takes part in a performance in a circus—

(a) on any day on which he is required to attend school after the morning session, he may take part in not more than two performances;

(b) on any other day, he may take part in not more than three performances:

Provided that—

(i) he shall not take part in more than one performance unless there is an interval of not less than one and a half hours between the end of his part in one performance and the beginning of his part in the next performance, and

(ii) the duration of his appearance in a performance does not exceed thirty minutes.

Section 34 Earliest and latest hours at place of performance

(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Regulation, a child shall not be present at a place of performance after whichever is the earlier of the two following times:—

(a) ten in the evening, if he has not attained the age of thirteen years, or half-past ten if he has;

(b) thirty minutes after the end of his part in the performance or last performance.

(2) If in order to enable a child to take part in a performance the child's presence at the place of performance is required after the latest permitted time specified in paragraph (1) of this Regulation, he may be present at the place of performance not later than eleven in the evening on not more than three evenings in a week.

(3) A child shall not be present at a place of performance before ten in the morning, and on the day immediately following a day on which a child has taken part in a performance he shall not take part in a performance until after the expiration of not less than fourteen hours from the end of his part in the performance in which he last performed on the preceding day.

(4) This Regulation shall not apply with respect to a place of performance where the child lives or receives education in that place.

Section 35 Broadcast and recorded performances for which a licence is not required

Regulations 36 to 40 of these Regulation shall apply in the case of a child taking part in a performance for which by reason of section 37(3)(a) of the Act a licence is not required, being a broadcast performance or a performance to be recorded (by whatever means) with a view to its use in a broadcast or in a film intended for public exhibition.

Section 36 Limitation on daily performances

On any day a child may take part only in performances which are of the same nature and in which he performs the same part or takes the place of another performer in the same performance.

Section 37 Children aged thirteen or more

(1) A child who has attained the age of thirteen years shall not be present at a place of performance—

(a) for more than eight hours a day;

(b) before nine in the morning or after seven in the evening, except that a child may be present after half-past eight in the morning if on the preceding day he was not present after half-past six in the evening.

(2) Such a child shall not take part in a performance on any day—

(a) for a continuous period of more than one hour without an interval for rest;

(b) for a total period of more than three and a half hours.

(3) Such a child shall not be present at a place of performance for more than four consecutive hours without there being two or more intervals of which one shall be for the purpose of a meal and shall be of not less than one hour and the other or others shall be for the purpose of rest and shall not be less than fifteen minutes.

Section 38 Children aged five to twelve

(1) A child who has attained age of five years but has not attained the age of thirteen years shall not be present at a place of performance—

(a) for more than seven and a half hours a day;

(b) before nine in the morning or after half-past four in the afternoon, except that a child who has attained the age of ten years may be present until five in the afternoon.

(2) Such a child shall not take part in a performance on any day—

(a) for a continuous period of more than forty-five minutes without an interval for rest;

(b) for a total period of more than three hours.

(3) Such a child shall not be present at a place of performance for more than three and a half consecutive hours without there being two or more intervals of which one shall be for the purpose of a meal and shall be of not less than one hour and the other or others shall be for the purpose of rest and shall not be less than fifteen minutes.

Section 39 Children aged two to four

(1) A child who has attained the age of two years but has not attained the age of five years shall not be present at a place of performance—

(a) for more than five hours a day;

(b) before half-past nine in the morning or after half-past four in the afternoon.

(2) Such a child shall not take part in a performance on any day—

(a) for a continuous period of more than thirty minutes without an interval for rest;

(b) for a total period of more than two hours.

(3) Any time during which such a child is present at a place of performance, but is not taking part in a performance, shall be used for the purposes of meals, rest and recreation.

Section 40 Children under two

(1) A child who has not attained the age of two years shall not be present at a place of performance—

(a) for more than three hours a day;

(b) before half-past nine in the morning or after four in the afternoon.

(2) Such a child shall not take part in a performance on any day—

(a) for a continuous period of more than twenty minutes without an interval for rest;

(b) for a total period of more than one hour.

(3) Any time during which such a child is present at a place of performance, but is not taking part in a performance, shall be used for the purpose of meals, rest and recreation.

Section 41 Restriction on employment

(1) On the day on which or on the day immediately following the day on which a child takes part in a performance for which by reason of section 37(3)(a) of the Act a licence is not required, he shall not be employed in any other form of employment.

(2) On the day on which a child takes part in a performance for which by reason of section 37(3)(a) of the Act a licence is not required, he shall not take part in a performance for which a licence is required.

Section 42 Interpretation

(1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

“ the Act ” means the Children and Young Persons Act 1963 ;

“ day ” means a period of twenty-four hours beginning and ending at midnight and, for the purposes of Regulation 30(2)(a) of these Regulations, any performance taking place after midnight and before the earliest permitted hour as defined in Regulation 30(3) of these Regulations shall be deemed to have taken place before midnight ;

“ licence ” means a licence authorising a child to take part in a performance ;

“ licensing authority ” means the local education authority (or, in Scotland, the education authority) to whom an application for a licence is made or by whom a licence is granted ;

“ local authority ” means a local education authority (or, in Scotland, the education authority) in whose area a performance takes place ;

“ parent ” includes a guardian or other person who has for the time being the charge of or control over the child ;

“ performance ” means a performance to which section 37 of the Act applies ;

“ rehearsal ” means any rehearsal for, or preparation for the recording of, a performance to which a licence relates, being a rehearsal which takes place on the day of performance or during the period beginning with the first and ending with the last performance to which the licence relates ;

“ school medical officer ” means the duly qualified medical practitioner employed or engaged by the licensing authority, whether regularly or for the purposes of any particular case, to carry out medical examinations of pupils ;

“ week ” means a period of seven days beginning with the day on which the first performance for which the licence is granted takes place or any seventh day thereafter .

(2) The Interpretation Act 1889 shall apply to the interpretation of these Regulations as it applies to the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.

Section 43 Citation and commencement

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Children (Performances) Regulations 1968.

(2) These Regulations shall come into operation on 2nd December 1968 for the purposes of applying for licences under section 37 of the Act, and granting such licences to have effect on and after 3rd March 1969.

(3) Subject to paragraph (2) of this Regulation, these Regulations shall come into operation on 3rd March 1969.

Section 1

The licence.

Section 2

The following particulars in respect of each day (or night) on which the child is present at the place of performance:—

(a) the date,

(b) the time of arrival at the place of performance,

(c) the time of departure from the place of performance,

(d) the time of each period during which the child took part in a performance or rehearsal,

(e) the time of each rest interval,

(f) the time of each meal interval,

(g) time of any night-work authorised by the local authority under Regulation 30 of the Children (Performances) Regulations 1968.

Section 3

Where arrangements are made for the education of the child by a private teacher, the date and duration of each lesson and the subject taught.

Section 4

Details of injuries and illnesses (if any) suffered by the child at the place of performance, including the dates on which such injuries occurred and stating whether such injuries or illnesses prevented the child from being present at the place of performance.

Section 5

The dates of medical examinations (if any) of the child carried out under Regulation 17 of the Children (Performances) Regulations 1968.

Section 6

The dates of the breaks in performances required under Regulation 16 of the Children (Performances) Regulations 1968.

Section 7

The amount of all sums earned by the child by reason of taking part in the performance and the names, addresses and description of the persons to whom such sums were paid.