HL Deb 16 December 1985 vol 469 cc530-1

2.47 p.m.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what conclusions they have drawn following the implementation of the Sporting Events (Control of Liquor etc.) Act 1985.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My Lords, it is too soon to draw firm conclusions about the impact of this Act, but the police believe that it is making a useful contribution to dealing with the problem of football hooliganism.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that reply, but is the Minister aware that this is a very traumatic time for football clubs, particularly on the financial side? I wonder whether the Minister saw a television broadcast on Saturday in which the Watford Football Club and Elton John were involved, pointing out the grave problem involving clubs which wish to proceed with developing their grounds, and especially the executive boxes, and yet are unable to do so because of the provisions of this Act? I wonder whether the Minister recalls the conversations in which we took part when we said that if time showed there was a need, legislation which was currently to go through the House concerning the Public Order Bill might be used as a means of putting down some amendments. Could the Minister be helpful on that point?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that we are monitoring the situation very closely. The Football League have supplied some information, and we have asked for further details to be provided at the end of the year with a view to considering the possibility of an amendment during the later stages of the Public Order Bill.

Lord Mishcon

My Lords, is the noble Lord the Minister aware yet of figures showing improvement in regard to violence at football grounds and therefore possibly ascribable to the Act? Furthermore, is he concerned with the question of obtaining drink outside the premises of the football grounds, and, if so, are the Government contemplating any further legislation?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, again I think it is too soon to draw firm conclusions about effectiveness in reducing the incidence of hooliganism within the grounds. However, there has been a falling off in the serious incidence of hooliganism so far this season, taking the season as a whole. Of course we are only about halfway through the season so far. On the noble Lord's latter point, yes, we are keeping a careful eye on it. However, there is no legislation within sight.