Hampden Park (Hansard, 15 March 1978)

§ 7. Mr. Dempsey
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the results of discussions he has had with the appropriate authorities regarding the provision of a national sports stadium in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. McElhone
I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to proposals for the improvement of Hampden Park. I have been keeping in close touch with the local authorities and the other interested bodies and have undertaken to consider any agreed scheme put to me. When I have received such a scheme, I shall be glad to discuss it with the interested bodies and make a decision as soon as possible.

§ Mr. Dempsey
Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that it is probable that Scotland will be playing host to World Cup football in 1986 and that he will still be Minister for sport on that date? Therefore, will he give the most sympathetic consideration to representations made to his Department and do his utmost to ensure that at least 100,000 spectators can be accommodated at that stadium in view of the unbelievable scramble for tickets for these attractive football matches?

§ Mr. McElhone
I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for those comments. I am not sure whether I shall be in the Assembly, but certainly it will be a Labour Minister for sport when the Assembly is established. I have no doubt that my hon. Friend will be there to support me when we open the new Hampden Park.
I have read in the newspapers about a proposed scheme for improving Hampden Park and I have written to the bodies concerned and invited them to discuss this matter with me. Until they put proposals on the table I cannot say any more, but I shall want to know what we will get for the £8 million and who will have ownership of Hampden Park. There are various other points that will have to be discussed, and we shall have to consider the approach roads and the inconvenience to people who live around Hampden Park.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. May I appeal to hon. Members for a return to Celtic brevity?

§ Mr. Welsh
Does not the Minister consider it a disgrace that in World Cup year our national football stadium does not measure up to the achievements of our national football team? Will he ensure that cash is made available to transform Hampden Park into a national multi-sports complex that is worthy of the name?

§ Mr. McElhone
The only thing that I can say about the football scene is to comment on the disgraceful attitude of Scottish nationalists last year at Wembley who were singing and chanting "Hate the English".

§ Mr. Heffer
Can my hon. Friend tell the House what is the national sport in 425 Scotland—apart from the SNP bashing the English?

§ Mr. McElhone
It certainly depends on the part of Scotland from which one comes. I would not like to give a decision on that.

§ Mr. Alexander Fletcher
Would it not be more helpful for the Minister to take the initiative instead of giving a list of questions and waiting for someone else to answer them? Is he referring to a national sports stadium or simply to a football stadium? A national sports stadium would be a much more viable project and would ensure the future of Hampden Park far better than as merely a football venue.

§ Mr. McElhone
This is a purely private enterprise project. The hon. Member for Edinburgh, North (Mr. Fletcher) cannot claim more and more cuts in public expenditure and at the same time ask for a £20 million project for Hampden Park. If £20 million is available, I have priorities other than Hampden Park. However, my hon. Friends and I are prepared to consider the proposals for an £8 million scheme proffered in the national Press. As I said earlier, I hope to have an early meeting with the bodies concerned.