§ Mr. AshtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the reason for the delay in setting up the Football Licensing Authority.
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Consultant and cost Subject Outcome 1988–89 (£39,187) Coopers and Lybrand Monitoring payment arrangements for Urban Development Grants. Report accepted by Department and where appropriate recommendations were implemented. Coopers and Lybrand Evalution of Regional Selective Assistance. As at 1 above. Pieda (Planning and economic development consultants) An impact study of the development of rural initiative venture and enterprise (DRIVE). Modifications suggested were adopted in relaunched scheme. Leslie Hays and Asses. Evaluation of Regional Enterprise Grant Scheme. As at 1 above. Frank Griffiths Purchasing in the Welsh Office. Recommendations implemented. HMSO Review of the organisation of Welsh Office Print Room. Recommendations implemented. 1989–90 (£44,725) Leslie Hays Consultancies Ltd. Evaluation of Regional Enterprise Grant. As at 1 above. Price Waterhouse Training needs Analysis. Report received in April 1990 Recommendations are under consideration. Touche Ross Management Review of NHS Directorate. All the key recommendations have been implemented.
§ Mr. John Patten[holding answer 18 June 1990]: It has been necessary to review the proposed role of the Football Licensing Authority in the light of Lord Justice Taylor's report on the Hillsborough stadium disaster, and the Government's subsequent decision not to proceed with the national football membership scheme and the Football Membership Authority. As a result of that review, responsibility for the authority was formally transferred to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department in May. It has been necessary to consider carefully how the authority's powers could best be used to bring about all-seated accommodation at football grounds, as proposed by Lord Justice Taylor, and the sort of qualities and experience which would be required among its members and staff to equip it for its revised role. This work has taken longer than had been hoped, but is now largely completed. I hope that an announcement about appointments to the authority can be made before the start of the next football season. In the meantime, my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State has already met the football authorities, and officials are in close touch with them, to ensure that there is no avoidable delay in implementing the important safety measures recommended in Lord Justice Taylor's report.