Childish

[Birchy]

If a baby is used in a drama, do the parents receive a fee?If so, have I hit on a moral issue whereby these parents should be investigated by the authorities? After all, the individual isn't in a position to give permission!

[vittoria]

I have no personal experience in the matter, but my guess is that the monies would be placed in some kind of trust, for which the parents would be trustees. I would also guess that the parents would need to seek some kind of authorisation (from a court or the social services) before using babies in films/ads etc. As far as I know, the lowest legal age to work is 13 or so, the age when children start delivering newspapers, and so I think that babies who "work" must do so with permission from someone over and beyond the parents... I stress that I am only taking an "educated guess"...

[Birchy]

With respect...I'd prefer an answer rather than a guess.

[vittoria]

Well, if nobody else can come up with certain knowledge on this subject (and I think I am pretty close to the truth) you could ask a theatrical agent whether they pay fees to the parents, and then you could ask the social services whether it is allowed - I am sure they would either give you the answer, or point you in the right direction!