HC Deb 17 October 1973 vol 861 cc181-2
7. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Sports Council and other organisations on ways of implementing the recommendations of the Wheatley Committee's Report on Crowd Safety at Football Matches; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

I have explained to the English and Welsh football authorities the scope of the Government's plans for safety control of sports grounds in the light of Lord Wheatley's report. As a separate issue I have also initiated talks with the Sports Council about the part it might play in the development of suitable grounds as multi-purpose sports centres.

Mr. Dalyell

What cost tag have the Government put on their plans?

Mr. Griffiths

Cost is not a matter for the Government. It is for those who invite people to watch sport in their grounds for profit to put in the necessary precautions for the safety of the public.

Mr. William Price

Will the Minister not be deterred by the argument that the big football clubs have no money? Is it not strange that some of them quite happily spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on very doubtful players and nothing at all upon vital necessities, such as crash barriers and toilets? As a classic example, may I suggest that the Minister looks closely at Master Clough's old stamping ground, Derby County, which has spent a vast sum of money and has a ground which is an absolute disgrace to the First Division?

Mr. Griffiths

It is not for me to comment on any particular ground, or manager or ex-manager. Any organisation which encourages the public to attend large spectator events must accept a measure of responsibility for the safety of those who go there.

Mr. Denis Howell

Is the Minister really telling the House and the world of sport that he is imposing considerable financial obligations which arise from the Wheatley Report—which all of us want to see implemented—and that he and his colleagues have made no assessment of the cost? What will be the cost of implementing Wheatley? How much money do the Government anticipate raking in this year from football and sport through VAT? It will be a colossal amount, and much more than we thought when we debated the matter.

Mr. Griffiths

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the Bill that I hope will be introduced in the next Session. There is no proposal to license grounds with capacities of less than 10,000, so the vast majority of clubs are not affected at all.

Regarding the Chester Report, to which the hon. Gentleman frequently alludes, I have told the football authorities that I am willing to discuss with them any of the problems that they want to put before me and will lay them, as he did, before Treasury Ministers.