§ Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to increase the measures available to the police and the penalties at the disposal of the courts to deal with football hooliganism.
§ Mr. MellorI greatly deplore recent outbreaks of football hooliganism, but consider that the powers already available to the police and the courts are adequate for dealing with offenders who can be apprehended and are convicted. The power which the Police and Criminal Evidence Bill will confer to search for offensive weapons will increase the ability of the police to take preventive action.
§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the attendance centres since they were set up in dealing with football hooligans.
§ Mr. MellorAlthough the available evidence suggests that young offenders whose offences have arisen from football hooliganism constitute a small proportion of those sent to attendance centres, the Government consider the attendance centre order to be an important contribution to the range of measures available to the courts when dealing with football hooligans. The orders must be served on Saturdays and therefore deprive the offender of the opportunity to attend weekend matches.