§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, as part of his policy against football hooliganism, he will discuss with the Football Association the persistent violence perpetrated by supporters of Manchester United Football Club at Football Association Cup matches.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe police already make appropriate plans in consultation with the clubs for particular matches. I intend soon, with my ministerial colleagues, to hold a further meeting with representatives of the police and football organisations in order to review the measures to control crowds which we discussed last December, but we shall not confine our discussions to one club or one competition.
§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Hampshire about the extra duties involved for his men and the costs incurred by the ratepayers, following the rowdyism, drunkenness and law breaking that occurred before, during and after the Football Association Cup game between Southampton and Manchester United at Southampton on 26th February.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI understand from the Chief Constable of Hampshire that 316 officers were deployed in connection with the match on 26th February. 47 of the officers were employed inside the178W football ground and I understand that a charge of £857, excluding VAT, had been made to the Southampton Football Club in respect of these officers. The Chief Constable estimates that the additional costs falling on police funds were about £7,000. Under the normal arrangements this expenditure will attract a specific grant of 50 per cent. from central Government and will also be regarded as relevant expenditure for rate support grant purposes.