§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many civil servants are employed in his Department on the specific problem of combating football hooliganism.
§ Mr. TraceyThere are six civil servants in the Department's sport and recreation division who devote a portion of their time to football-related issues, including combating hooliganism.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources he has made available to the Football League to assist in the campaign against hooliganism.
§ Mr. Tracey£3 million of public funding has been provided through the Sports Council since 1978 for schemes creating stronger links between football clubs and their communities. The longer term aim has been to discourage hooliganism by bringing fans, particularly 839W younger ones, into closer association with clubs. The council works with the Football Trust. The trust's contribution has exceeded £1 million.
Schemes of this type also receive support from the community programme. A recent new pilot project involves the funding of 61 participants, at a cost of about £250,000, at six League clubs in the north-west. These clubs are operating pilot projects for the "Football in the Community" scheme developed by the Footballers Further Education and Vocational Training Society which is a joint Football League and Professional Footballers Association body. The Manpower Service Commission also funds, at a cost of about £2.5 million, 700 youth training scheme places at Football League clubs.