§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what stage has been reached in making appointments to the Football Licensing Authority; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenAppointments to the Football Licensing Authority are still under consideration. My right hon. and noble Friend has already written to the hon. Member to tell him that the Government intend to appoint the authority as soon as possible. He has also written to the Football League to make clear the Government's view that it is not necessary for football clubs to wait for the authority to be set up before starting to make the improvements to football grounds which were recommended in Lord Justice Taylor's final report on the Hillsborough tragedy.