HC Deb 03 November 1994 vol 248 cc1299-300W
Ms Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what role he plans for the football supporters associations in the planning of the European football championship.

Mr. Sproat

Responsibility for planning the 1996 European Football Championship rests with the tournament organisers, the Football Association. The FA, together with the Football league, the FA Premier league and the Football trust hold regular meetings with the football supporter organisations to discuss, amongst other things, the arrangements for the championship.

Ms Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on co-operation with the Football Association in the planning and running of the 1996 European Football Championship.

Mr. Sproat

The Department of National Heritage has worked closely with the Football Association from the start, both in securing the tournament for England, and on promotional and diplomatic matters. My officials are involved in the detailed arrangements for the championship through representation, with observer status, on the FA's central co-ordinating committee, and a separate FA working group on security and safety.