§ Mr. Tom PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects the inspectorate required by the Football Licensing Authority for the exercise of its functions to be in place; and what will be its terms of reference.
§ Mr. John PattenI have been asked to reply.
The appointment of the inspectorate and the formulation of its terms of refernce are the responsibility of the Football Licensing Authority. I understand, however, that advertisements have been commissioned by the authority to appear at around the end of October. Applications will then be processed and appointments made as soon as possible. The role of the inspectorate will be to inform and advise the authority on matters relating to the licensing of sports grounds at which designated football matches are played, and to the exercise by local authorities, in relation to those sports grounds, of their functions under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975.