§ 6. Mr. David Heath (Somerton and Frome)What assessment he has made of the proposals to deal with marketing by professional sports clubs and national teams advanced by the football task force. [119879]
§ The Minister for Sport (Kate Hoey)With my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, I am considering the football task force's report—both the majority and minority reports—on commercial issues, and I expect to announce the Government's response shortly.
§ Mr. HeathI declare an interest as the father of a soccer-mad nine-year-old. Cannot something be done about national clubs and bodies that change football strips every year and cynically exploit youngsters through overpriced replica strips? Is not it time to stop that rip-off?
§ Kate HoeyThe hon. Gentleman is aware that the task force was much exercised about that issue, which is worrying for all parents and children. We hope that the football authorities and the clubs—especially premier league clubs—which are responsible for what can only be termed abuse, have learned from that. When we make our final decision, some of the task force's recommendations will help to ensure that such abuse cannot continue.
§ Mr. Denis MacShane (Rotherham)I am sure that the Minister will join me, the House and my constituents in Rotherham in sending condolences to the family of Terry Coles, who lost his life so tragically at Rotherham this weekend. I was at the match, and what should have been a festival of football as both teams won promotion was overshadowed by a dreadful tragedy.
Perhaps the Minister would care to reflect on three points. First, we need a swift inquiry. I hope that she will ask the Home Office to press the Police Complaints Authority to get on with the job quickly. Police horses had to come on to the pitch as hooligans from both sides ran on to disrupt the match. I was glad that the police were there. Policemen and women in Rotherham serve the community well.
Secondly, will the Minister consider money in football, and ensure that some of it goes to poorer clubs at the bottom of the divisions to ensure that they can grant access to fans and thus prevent such a tragedy from happening again?
Thirdly, will the Minister consider setting up an independent commission so that tense matches, where trouble is expected, can be moved to a neutral venue? No amount of passion about football justifies the loss of a single human life.
§ Kate HoeyI am sure that the House wishes to send condolences to Mr. Coles' family. It was a tragic incident. As my hon. Friend knows, the Police Complaints Authority is already investigating the events, and it would therefore not be right for me to make a statement on the matter at this stage.
§ Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley)As someone who was born in Swansea and lived there for 33 years, I add my condolences to the family on their tragic loss.
489 Not long ago, the Football Association of Wales held an international for which it deliberately reduced the price of admission to encourage more families to attend. It was a tremendous success; the mood was markedly buoyant and there was little trouble. Could the Minister encourage the Football Association to reconsider its pricing policy to encourage more families to visit football stadiums throughout the country?
§ Kate HoeyThe hon. Gentleman is right that the more we get young people, children and families into football grounds, the more it changes the atmosphere. Although I now refer to a different sport, I was impressed by the behaviour and the general family feel when I attended the rugby league final at Murrayfield recently. Football could learn from that example.