§ Mr. GroganTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made as to the safety implications of introducing small sections of standing areas at football grounds. [132402]
§ Mr. CabornThe Government's position on standing at football grounds has not changed. Whatever their size, standing terraces are implicitly more dangerous to spectators than seated areas. As such, there are no plans to revise the all seater policy, which applies to all Premier and First Division grounds.
I have made it clear to those who seek changes to that policy that it will remain in place unless or until compelling technical evidence is produced that it is no longer necessary. My officials regularly discuss the Government's position on this issue with the Football Supporters' Federation and other interested parties. No technical evidence in favour of the re-introduction of standing areas has been produced to date.