HC Deb 01 August 1946 vol 426 c1192
14. Mr. John Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if in order to allay public anxiety during the coming football season, he will summon a conference with the Football Association and the Football League to arrange a consultation with the clubs with a view to agreeing safe maximum attendances.

Mr. Ede

The number of people that could safely be admitted depends so largely on the individual circumstances of the ground that I doubt whether it would be useful to attempt to deal with the question centrally. Pending further consideration of the machinery necessary for determining and enforcing maximum safety attendances, I am sure that the clubs will take every precaution open to them and, in this connection, will study the report on the Bolton disaster.

Mr. Lewis

Am I to understand that no steps will be taken by the Government before the next football season arrives in order to allay the anxiety of the football going public?

Mr. Ede

No, Sir, my hon. Friend must not understand that.