HC Deb 24 October 1985 vol 84 cc418-9
9. Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with sporting organisations about the implementation of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act.

Mr. Hurd

We are in continuing touch with the police and football organisations about the Act. We are awaiting information from the Football League about the effect on clubs' revenue.

Mr. Beith

Are the exemptions being granted by magistrates on a greater or lesser scale than Ministers envisaged when they brought forward the legislation? Has the Home Secretary been able to give assurances to other, well-regulated sports that he has no present intentions to extend the Act to them?

Mr. Hurd

I certainly have no present intention to extend the rules to other sports. On the hon. Gentleman's first point, I think that the number of local exemptions that magistrates are giving is broadly in line with what we expected. It was a deliberate act of the Government and Parliament to provide for local decision-taking by magistrates when exemption applications are made.

Mr. John Carlisle

Will my right hon. Friend accept that the implementation of the Act is having a disastrous effect on the finances of many football clubs? Will he give an undertaking to the House that, as the season progresses, he will look at the Act again, with a view to amending it at the end of the season so that responsible clubs can be exempted?

Mr. Hurd

Yes, I gladly give that assurance. We need evidence, and so far we do not have adequate evidence.

Mr. Ashley

Is the Home Secretary aware that it would be easy to eradicate football violence, simply by stopping football matches? That would be the effect of these measures and some safety measures which will have an impact on vulnerable clubs. Will the right hon. Gentleman have a word with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and put together a rescue package for vulnerable clubs which could otherwise go out of business because of the Act and other measures?

Mr. Hurd

I could have a word with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but I am not sure that I would find it a very fruitful business. He might point out to me, with some justice, that the football industry, here and there, has considerable sums of money available for its own purposes.