§ Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the incident at the Walsall football club ground on 14 February, he will hold discussions with the Football Association about safety at football matches; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to extend the Safety at Sports Grounds Act to cover third and fourth division football 419W clubs, following the injuries sustained by Liverpool supporters at the Fellows park ground, Walsall, on Tuesday 14 February; and if he will examine financial assistance which might be given to those clubs to enable such work to be expedited.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneResponsibility for designation under the 1975 Act rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The whole question of future designation policy, including the position of the third and fourth division clubs, is currently under consideration. Any relevant factors in this incident at the Walsall ground will be taken into account. It is open to all football clubs to seek financial assistance towards the cost of safety work from the football grounds improvement trust. Both the Home Department and my Department have regular discussions with the football authorities about safety at grounds.