§ Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with the Professional Football Association and the Football Authority.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsI have frequent contacts with football leaders, but there has been no formal meeting for some time. It is not the Government's policy to interfere in the running of sport in this country. We recognise, however, that there are long-standing differences between players and the authorities which they have apparently been unable to resolve satisfactorily themselves. The Industrial Relations Act and the publication of the Code of Industrial Relations Practice have generated a better climate and the Government feel that the Commission on Industrial Relations could give valuable help.
My right hon. and learned Friend, jointly with the Secretaries of State for Employment, Scotland and Wales, has therefore today invited the commission to examine and report on the question of industrial relations between professional footballers and their employers, including the relationship between their respective representatives, in Great Britain, and 79W the promotion of any improvement in those relations that appears to be necessary or desirable.