From a letter of 04/09/02 from Dr Howells to Rt Hon Chris Smith MP.

We recognise the importance of having a reliable definition of what constitutes a public performance and it is clear that if a musician or other performer is accepting money for a performance then it would be regarded as a public performance.

Why? To what possible end? This is a sad old argument used when local authorities had a cut, per head of public performances. They do not have to justify this now, they just have to make all public premises safe for the public, music or not.

The sad reason for this wording is that the intention is, I fear, to enable extend licensing control to performances on PRIVATE or non-public premises. Like Schools, Hospitals, Day Centres and private homes (if the performance was paid)!

So much for any future growth of house concerts in the UK.