An Essex MP says Essex County Council wrongly clamped down on parents taking pictures of school plays.
Chelmsford West Tory Simon Burns suggested the county council may be misinterpreting laws on paedophilia by clamping down on photos of school nativity plays.
At question time in the House of Commons, Mr Burns said Education Secretary Charles Clarke had said last week that some local education authorities had misinterpreted guidelines on photographing children in schools.
This had led to Essex County Council "in effect, banning parents from photographing their children in nativity plays".
While people wanted to see proper laws against paedophile activity, it did seem "unfair" to deprive parents from taking photos of their children, he said.
Home Office minister Fiona MacTaggart said: "I don't think this is a problem but I will make sure the Education Secretary's clarification is clear.
Published Wednesday January 21, 2004
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