HC Deb 04 June 1981 vol 5 c410W
Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a study of the problems associated with violence at football grounds.

Mr. Monro

Over the past decade there have been a number of studies into violence connected with football. The Social Science Research Council and the Sports Council jointly reported on this matter in 1978.

A Government working party on the subject sat between 1975 and 1978 and made a number of recommendations affecting all interested parties. Many of these have been implemented at least in this country. The Football Trust is currently looking at what more can be done to mitigate the effects of football hooliganism. What is needed is action to combat the problem rather than study of its causes.

I am considering what further action I can take both here and abroad and will be meeting the Football Association soon after they return from Hungary. I need hardly add how strongly I deplore the scenes at Basle last weekend.