FESTIVAL FOR STARS TALENT ALLEGED EXPLOITATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE

That this House expresses its deep concern at reports that the organisation Festival for Stars Talent Search UK Ltd is currently encouraging children and families to take part in a 2013 competition in Scotland and elsewhere across the UK when its directors of a new Board established in September 2012 have failed to respond to charges that their 2012 competition left children and young people who had been successful without promised prizes, contracts and appearances at prestigious venues; notes that its managing director Nicholas Pamment appears to have failed to publish a list of prizes and has blocked enquiries about them; further notes that families in Blackpool and elsewhere who have previously participated in such dancing and singing competitions have set up a Facebook page entitled Festival for Stars - The Unrewarded to collate the experiences of those affected; and urges Trading Standards and other regulatory agencies to investigate the serious allegations being made about Festival for Stars Talent Search UK Ltd.