§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she has referred to the Director General of Fair Trading, the ticket allocation system for the 1998 Football World Cup; and if she will make a statement. [26264]
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsNo. In the first instance the ticket allocation system for the 1998 Football World Cup is a matter for FIFA and the French organising authorities. My hon. Friend, the Minister for Sport, is concerned about the inadequacy of World Cup tickets and I understand he has discussed this with the FA. I also understand that both they and the Scottish Football Association are doing everything they can in making representations to the French World Cup organisers and to FIFA to maximise the number of World Cup tickets available for English and Scottish supporters.