Written question asked by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Rawlings (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 May 2012.

Film: Classification and Censorship

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what powers local governments have to protect children from potentially harmful film content; and whether they have any plans to grant local authorities new powers to protect children if a licensing requirement for the exhibition of films is removed.

Answer: The Government are currently considering responses to the recent consultation on the deregulation of entertainment activities that are regulated under the Licensing Act 2003. In respect of film exhibition, the consultation outlines explicitly that age classification safeguards will be retained. The consultation explains that primary legislation would be amended to ensure there are no gaps in child protection, should it be decided that the exhibition of film could be removed from Schedule 1 to the Licensing Act 2003.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 16867; 736 c448WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Children Film Local government Protection Video recordings Classification schemes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk