§ Mr. BowisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with Football League clubs about their membership schemes.
§ Mr. MoynihanMost league clubs have now either achieved the initial target of 50 per cent. coverage for their membership schemes agreed between the Government and the football authorities or have been advised by their local police that the present configuration of their grounds would make it dangerous for them to go beyond the level they have already reached. The president of the Football League and I will be holding meetings with the six clubs which have not done so on 4 February and 21 March. They are Wimbledon, Fulham, Southampton, Barnsley, Wrexham and Darlington.
Since my last meeting with the Football League on this subject, three further clubs, Chelsea, Scarborough and Tranmere, have received clear advice from their local police forces against extending their membership schemes. The league and the Association of Chief Police Officers have agreed with me that these clubs should not be invited to our meetings.