HL Deb 10 March 1992 vol 536 cc1314-8

8.38 p.m.

Lord Dormand of Easington

My Lords, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.

The background to the Bill is that Section 3 of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol Etc.) Act 1985 created a framework for the licensing of football clubs for the sale of alcohol on the premises. In principle it is not a problem. However, the practical application of the Act's provisions is creating administrative difficulties and nuisance for clubs. It is also unnecessarily increasing the workload of the licensing authorities. The Act requires that clubs should apply to the justices for licences every five months; that is, each club must apply for a licence twice in one season. That is an administrative inconvenience.

The Football League sought evidence from the league clubs as to the working of this section of the 1985 Act. It is clear that most clubs have good relationships with the police and with the licensing justices and encounter no problems in obtaining an order. I am sure that your Lordships appreciate that that is an important aspect of the situation. The clubs therefore see no reason why application should be made twice each season. They would prefer to apply for licences once a year. The league has made detailed inquiries at the Home Office. Surprisingly, officials there cannot explain why it is that the 1985 Act requires applications to be made every five months. It seems that it is just an anomaly. I understand that the Home Office will not oppose the modest change sought in this Bill.

The Bill has just two clauses. Clause 1 seeks to replace in the 1985 Act the words "five months" with "twelve months", which will correct the current anomaly. Clause 2 simply contains the Short Title and limits the Bill's extent to England and Wales. This is only a very minor change to the existing legislation. It will not result in any change to the principle intended in the 1985 Act. However, it will provide for the greater administrative efficiency of both football clubs and licensing authorities.

I know that many people are concerned about the effect of alcohol. Perhaps I may mention that I am a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Misuse. But people need not have worries about this proposed change in the law.

I hope that I have made the provisions clear. I repeat merely for emphasis that the change suggested is simply for administrative efficiency. I commend the Bill to the House.

Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time.—(Lord Dormand of Easington.)

8.41 p.m.

The Viscount of Falkland

My Lords, we on these Benches agree absolutely with the quite small provisions of this Bill. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Dormand, for explaining to us its contents and also something of the background. I too am one of the vice-chairmen of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Misuse. We see absolutely no objection to this measure. It comes against the background in this country where, unfortunately, there is alcohol misuse quite out of proportion to the amount of alcohol consumed. Among other European countries we are quite low down in terms of the amount of alcohol consumed, but the amount of misuse is unfortunately still quite high.

In football grounds violence has mysteriously decreased in recent months, which makes the Government's attempts to legislate in the football Bill seem even more ludicrous than they did at the time we discussed the legislation in this House. I do not know why violence in football grounds should have disappeared so quickly. I believe that it is due more to fashion than anything else. Young people do not now consider it the thing to do or something to which they wish to apply their energies or time. Perhaps they have moved elsewhere, and let us hope that the change remains and even continues that way.

The provisions of this Bill seem to match that development and we hope that the previous behaviour does not return. I wish again to thank the noble Lord, Lord Dormand, for explaining the Bill so thoroughly. I support its contents.

8.43 p.m.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, I rise to support the Bill, which has been so clearly explained by my noble friend Lord Dormand of Easington. I was a Member of your Lordships' House when the Bill came before us in 1985. With the assistance of members of my own party and of the Social Democratic Party we tried to get some order into what was then a bad Bill because it had been cobbled together quickly under an agreement between the major parties in another place in order to deal with the situation. The Bill had to be rushed through in the July of that year in order to get it in place for the kick-off which took place a few weeks later.

I visited the three grounds with which I am familiar to see the situation as it then was. I refer to Maine Road, Old Trafford and Elland Road, Leeds. I was able to talk to the judge who was heading the commission dealing with the matter. I eventually got some concessions which were quite reasonable. The Bill as moved by my noble friend Lord Dormand will remove an anomaly which is totally unnecessary. I was not aware, although I should have been, that application had to he made every five months. This new provision will save time and money. It is a realistic approach. As my noble friend said, the Bill in its present form appears to be acceptable to the Government. I do not know whether it is possible in view of the events which may be taking place to put this measure on the statute book quickly. We hope that that can happen.

8.45 p.m.

Viscount Astor

My Lords, the Government believe that there is considerable merit in the arguments put forward by the noble Lord, Lord Dormand. Your Lordships will be aware of the successful measures the Government have taken to combat misbehaviour at football matches. The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 is an important plank in this legal framework. It was designed to tackle the problem of drunkenness at matches. As noble Lords are aware, drunkenness can all too easily lead to disorder.

The 1985 Act prohibits the possession of alcohol at designated sports grounds. Under the Act, football clubs (or other organisations managing designated sports grounds) that wish to sell alcohol on their premises must obtain an exemption order. As the noble Lord, Lord Dormand, said, at present the maximum period for which an order may be issued is five months. This Bill seeks to extend the period to 12 months.

During the Committee stage of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Bill concern was expressed by Members of the Opposition in another place that the period before renewal of the order should be kept as short as possible. The Government were anxious not to impose an unnecessary burden on the courts by requiring over-frequent renewal and therefore a compromise period of five months was agreed at that time. I believe that that answers the point of the noble Lord, Lord Dormand, as to how we came to have this rather strange period of time.

In recent years successful government policies have led to a welcome improvement in the general behaviour at football matches. I understand that few problems have arisen in respect of the sale of alcohol at bars in sports grounds; in this respect, football clubs have behaved responsibly. This Bill, if enacted, would not relax any of the controls on the sale of alcohol. The police would retain their powers to step in and close bars if they foresaw a particular problem. The amendment would simply reduce the administrative burden on ground authorities and the courts. This seems both practical and timely. The Government welcome this measure. I am glad that it is being supported tonight by the noble Viscount, Lord Falkland, and the noble Lord, Lord Dean of Beswick.

Lord Dormand of Easington

My Lords, I am very grateful for the all-round support that the Bill has received at its Second Reading tonight. It seems to be generally accepted that there has been something of an anomaly. I fully accept what the Minister has said and I am grateful for the explanation. I understand that an announcement of some moment, not necessarily related to this Bill, may be made tomorrow.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, what could it be?

Lord Dormand of Easington

My Lords, I wonder whether it may be that a general election is to be called. I ask the Minister to see that this Bill is expedited. As I say, there is universal agreement in the football world, in this Chamber and, I am sure, in another place. We really should have this provision on the statute book as soon as possible. I hope that the Minister will bear that in mind.

Viscount Astor

My Lords, I am aware of nothing that may happen tomorrow apart from the business on the Order Paper. I shall certainly keep in mind the point made by the noble Lord should some unexpected event happen.

On Question, Bill read a second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.