HC Deb 22 December 1988 vol 144 cc427-9W
Mr. Harry Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has, in the light of his intention to introduce a national identity card scheme for football clubs, of the operation of the scheme run by Luton Town football club; and if he has any details of the club's record and attendances for the period since the introduction of the scheme and for the five years prior to that.

Mr. Moynihan

I am fully aware of the details of Luton's membership scheme and the success it has had in combating football hooliganism. Since the scheme was introduced on 16 August 1986 there has been only one arrest, for a drugs offence, at the club's home football league matches. Attendances and record for league matches are:

Season Average home attendance League position
1981–82 11,900 1st Division 2
1982–83 13,500 18th Division 1
1983–84 11,900 16th Division 1
1984–85 10,800 13th Division 1
1985–86 11,100 9th Division 1
1986–87 10,300 7th Division 1
1987–88 8,038 9th Division 1 Winners Littlewoods Cup
1988–891 9,692

1 3 September to 3 December

I am informed that the members who joined the membership scheme its introduction have been as follows:

Number
1986–87 22,000
1987–88 18,000
1988–89 19,000

Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met representatives from the Football Supporters Association and the National Federation of Football Supporters Clubs; who was in attendance and in what capacity; what was discussed; and if he will amend his plans to impose compulsory identity cards on all football supporters as a result of his discussions.

Mr. Moynihan

I met representatives of the FSA and the NFFSC, for the second time this year, on 6 December. Three hon. Friends with close links with football clubs attended the meeting—my hon. Friends, the members for Bury, North (Mr. Burt) Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Patnick) and Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Evans). I had also invited two hon. Members from the Labour party who were unfortunately unable to attend. We discussed the implications of a national membership scheme for football supporters and I said that I would take account of the comments of both bodies in considering the scheme when it is submitted.

Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those organisations which have made representations(a) in favour and (b) against the proposed national football membership scheme.

Mr. Moynihan

I have received some 950 representations about the principle of a scheme, most of them against. I will write to the hon. Member listing the organisations concerned. It would be for the proposed football membership authority to draw up a scheme and submit it to my right hon. Friend for approval.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received against the proposed football membership scheme.

Mr. Moynihan

[holding answer 19 December 1988]: None—since the proposed football national membership scheme has neither been drafted by the football membership authority nor presented to the Secretary of State for his approval. However I have received some 950 representations on a wide range of issues relating to the idea of a scheme, most of them against.