The following from Terry Redmond.

From Hansard, 16th June

"A Punch and Judy show is "a performance of a play" under paragraph 2(1)(a)of schedule 1. It "takes place in the presence of an audience and is provided for the purpose, or for purposes which include the purpose, of entertaining that audience."

That is why Punch and Judy shows take place, and they will, therefore, be a licensable activity. They will have to be licensed. "

When the Government are so desperate to 'protect children' from 'anti-social behaviour ' that they can't tell the difference between a puppet and a performer we are in deep trouble. If they really wanted to 'protect children' from 'anti-social behaviour' they may have done better to avoid the kind of images broadcast every day as a result of this same Governments actions in Iraq

The amendments to exempt Mr. Punch and friends (144 for, 295 against), and the exemptions for small scale live performance (146 for, 284) against were defeated by such similar margins one has to ask - WHO ARE THE PUPPETS?