§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will extend the deadline for meeting the 637W recommendations of the Taylor report for those football clubs which have experienced protracted planning difficulties. [15953]
§ Mr. SproatAny applications for an extension to the deadlines already announced for football clubs to meet the all-seater or safe terracing will be considered on their individual merits, as occurred in 1994, following consultation with the Football Licensing Authority. Extensions will be granted only in the most exceptional circumstances and where delays in meeting the necessary criteria are unforseen and unavoidable. Whether planning difficulties would fall into such a category would depend on the facts of the individual case.