§ Mr. Denis Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Football League clubs have responded to the Minister for Sport's initiatives on breathalysing football spectators prior to Football League matches; what consultations took place with police authorities before this announcement was made; and what advice they have given about the feasibility of such tests minutes before kick off.
§ Mr. MoynihanAt a meeting on 19 October with representatives of the football authorities and the police, the Football League agreed to inquire into the possibility652W of stewards inside grounds having breathalysers available to test those suspected of excessive drinking. This may be an effective additional deterrent against hooliganism and would best be tried as an experiment in a small group of clubs, subject to police advice. I await a report from the Football League following their discussions with the police. The police response to this initiative at the meeting on 19 October was encouraging.