HC Deb 16 October 1975 vol 897 cc758-9W
Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional steps he is taking to control violence at football matches with a view to its elimination.

Dr. Summerskill

Responsibility for measures to deal with violence connected with football matches rests with chief officers of police, acting in consultation with the football clubs, transport operators and others concerned. Action has been taken on a number of fronts: by chief officers of police, in appointing a liaison officer in each force as a point of contact for the exchange of information with other forces; by British Rail, in discontinuing football specials; by the Traffic Commissioners, in imposing strict conditions on some football excursion motor coaches. My hon. Friend the Minister responsible for sport and recreation, who is in close contact with his Working Party on Crowd Behaviour, and my right hon. Friend will continue to keep these measures under review.