HC Deb 20 December 1972 vol 848 cc1320-1
22. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now hopes to announce his plans to implement the recommendations of the Wheatley Committee Report on Crowd Safety at Football Grounds.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department on 13th December.—[Vol. 848, c. 173.]

Mr. Dalyell

Now that it is almost two years to the day since that melancholy afternoon at Ibrox Park, does anyone seriously dispute the minimum recommendations of the Wheatley Committee on Safety? Is not the question not so much can we afford to do it as can we afford not to do it?

Mr. Griffiths

I am sure that the whole House is well aware of the tragedy at Ibrox Park and the Report of Wheatley Commission, which has been discussed fully by my own Department and by the Home Office. I have told the hon. Gentleman, and I repeat, that legislation is to be introduced as soon as possible by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

Mr. Ewing

Is the Minister aware that there are many football clubs in Scotland—not least the Falkirk club, about which I am in contact with the Secretary of State—which want to modernise their grounds but are afraid to go ahead until they see the form and type of legislation that the Minister talks about publishing as soon as possible? When is "as soon as possible" likely to be?

Mr. Griffiths

I shall be surprised if any football club seeking to modernise its ground is inhibited by the Wheatley proposals. I hope that every club in Scotland, England and Wales will recognise that the modern trend in sport is towards participation and not just watching. In whatever they do for their grounds, I hope that they will have regard to multi-purpose facilities on the grounds.

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