§ 27. Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with chief constables concerning the problems of hooliganism inside and outside football grounds.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Home Office is in regular contact with the Association of Chief Police Officers about these problems. The association was represented on the Minister for Sport's working party and will continue to be involved in discussions on the implementation of the Football Spectators Bill.
§ 56. Mr. LoydenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to deal with unruly behaviour outside football grounds.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMuch has already been achieved by alcohol restrictions, the powers for the police and the courts under the Public Order Act 1986 and the advice which my right hon. Friend recently gave to the courts on the need for swift justice following incidents of hooliganism.
The proposed football membership scheme, although designed primarily to prevent those intent on unruly behaviour from gaining admission to football grounds, is also intended to remove the football match as the central focus for the activities of hooligans. Those who know they are not going to be admitted to a match are unlikely to travel long distances to stand outside.
I believe that the scheme will curb football-related hooliganism, both inside and away from grounds.