§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is his intention to extend the proposed national identity scheme to non-league football clubs who have a record of football violence should the scheme operate successfully with Football League clubs.
§ Mr. MoynihanI hope that it will not be necessary for the national membership scheme to be extended to non-league football but the possibility is one that the Government and the Football Membership Authority would need to consider if there was evidence of a serious problem of hooliganism at non-league football clubs.
§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the organisations which have made representations in favour of his proposed national membership scheme for football supporters.
§ Mr. Moynihan[holding answer 12 January 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 22 December at column 433. I shall be writing to him very shortly.
§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations the Minister for Sport has received from the Bedfordshire police regarding identity cards for football supporters; whether they support his proposals for identity cards for football supporters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Moynihan[holding answer 13 January 1989]: The acting chief constable of Bedfordshire police wrote to me on 16 December asking whether the national membership scheme for football supporters would preclude Luton Town football club from continuing to operate its home members only scheme. My present view is that the scheme should be a national one, allowing all members to attend any match, subject to the right of the owner or occupier of any ground to exclude people whom they do not wish to admit. The Football Membership Authority will wish to look at this issue in drawing up the scheme.