§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have taken place with football supporters' organisations regarding safety of British fans at this year's World Cup in France. [31804]
§ Mr. MichaelMy right hon. Friend recently hosted a European conference to focus international efforts to combat soccer violence and consider the safety and security arrangements for the World Cup Finals in France. Supporters' groups were represented at the conference by the Football Supporters Association, the National Federation of Football Supporters Clubs and the Scottish Federation of Football Supporters' clubs.
In addition, the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, my hon. Friend the Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden (Mr. Galbraith) recently met a representative of the Scottish Federation of Football Supporters' Clubs. A meeting will shortly be arranged with the supporters' groups and the Chairman of the United Kingdom World Cup Co-ordinating Group to enable a further exchange of views.
Some British citizens will be travelling to France to support other teams participating in the tournament, particularly the national teams of Jamaica and Nigeria. Officials are arranging to meet relevant representative groups to discuss any concerns which they may have about protecting the interests of those supporters.