HL Deb 16 March 1987 vol 485 cc1207-9
Lord Gainford

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 when they expect their eight-point plan, agreed with the football authorities in order to combat football hooliganism, to become effective.

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, the eight-point plan was agreed with the football authorities on 23rd February. The Football League has already asked its member clubs to prepare local plans on crowd control and to introduce membership schemes covering at least 50 per cent. of their ground capacity. The intention is that the whole of the plan should be in operation before the start of next season.

Lord Gainford

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Has the noble Baroness any information as to when we football fans can possibly enjoy a game of football as we did before the sacrifices enforced on us by the few who created the hooligan element?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, this package of measures, together with measures already implemented, is seen as having the possibility of achieving the maximum effect. It reflects the determination of the Government, the police and the football authorities to work in partnership to tackle hooliganism in the interests both of public safety and of the future wellbeing of the game.

Lord Ross of Marnock

My Lords, will the noble Baroness make clear the fact that this applies to England and not to Scotland?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, yes; I believe that that was the intention of the Question.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, is it not correct that there has been a reduction in the number of disturbances at football matches and disturbances related to football matches? Does not that augur well for the eight-point plan that the Minister has mentioned, which we hope will be put into effect as quickly as possible? Is it not a fact that the Football League, the Football Association and the clubs are giving the Government their fullest co-operation in attempting to deal with this difficult problem?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, yes; and we welcome that co-operation. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has yet to receive up-to-date statistics. However, the considered police view is that the marked and welcome improvement in behaviour last season has generally been maintained at league grounds this season. The alcohol controls, closed circuit television and effective policing have played a major part in the improvement to the extent that, in addition to hooliganism, the police are increasingly able to tackle other forms of unacceptable behaviour, such as obscene or racial chanting.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, while I am sure that the whole House appreciates that progress is being made in these matters and that consultation has taken place with a range of people—the police, the league, magistrates and others—will the Minister say to what extent the views of the players and of supporters' clubs have been sought in order to make sure that any plan is implemented? Surely the Minister will agree that the players, through their representatives, and the responsible supporters' clubs are not only entitled to provide the missing ingredient in bringing peace to the terraces.

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, I am not able to quote chapter and verse on that matter. However, if I obtain any detailed information with which I can supply the noble Lord, I shall follow up the matter in the ususal way. My understanding is that the widest possible consultations have taken place in producing the eight-point plan. Certainly, in regard to local clubs and their local plans, wide consultation, which must include players as well as supporters' clubs, will take place.

Lord Taylor of Gryfe

My Lords, will the Minister say whether the experience of Scottish football has been studied in this connection? Hooliganism has disappeared from the Scottish football clubs, which are now playing to record attendances at all football stadia in Scotland. Is the practical experience of this dramatic change being studied by the Minister and the football authorities south of the Border?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, yes. The Scottish experience has been considered and its results are welcomed. It was particularly reflected in respect of the alcohol provisions which were brought in last year.

Lord Mowbray and Stourton

My Lords, will my noble friend agree that if players are to make a major contribution to this important subject, the best contribution that they could make would be to play a good, clean game?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, yes.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

My Lords, will the Minister say whether this applies to rugby league? Does the Minister have any comments to make on the disgraceful behaviour at Cardiff Arms Park a week last Saturday?

Noble Lords

Rugby Union!

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, as I understand the matter, that question is slightly wide of the original Question on the Order Paper, because the football matches which we are discussing in the eight-point plan concern the Football League and the Football Association.

Baroness Phillips

My Lords, is the Minister aware that, with supreme irony, grounds where supporters have always behaved, such as Fulham, are being taken over by property developers and closed?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, I believe that that is also another question.

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