Football (Disorder) Bill — Football matches: prevention of violence or disorder — 17 Jul 2000

Considered in Committee, pursuant to Order [this day].

I beg to move amendment No. 20, page 1, leave out lines 17 to 20.

The First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (Mr. Michael J. Martin):

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: amendment No. 21, in schedule 1, page 9, line 4, leave out from beginning to end of line 21 on page 10.

MPs play a blinder but hooligan bill should go to extra time.

But more important, are two issues of civil rights.

Government Ministers must be more specific in the bill about the conditions under which people can be banned for behaviour which falls short of criminal actions. It is far too vaguely worded at present ("there are reasonable grounds for believing that a banning order would help prevent football-related violence or disorder"). Second--

the trigger which allows a police officer to arrest and detain someone for up to 24 hours, simply on the basis that their behaviour is such that immediate inquiries should be made--

must be totally rewritten.

The constable may give the person a notice in writing requiring him . . . to appear before a magistrates' court . . . and giving the constable's reasons for thinking that the condition is met.

A person may not be arrested under subsection (5) . . . after he has appeared before the magistrates' court.

at any time . . . caused or contributed to any violence or disorder in the United Kingdom or elsewhere

making a banning order would help to prevent violence or disorder at or in connection with any regulated football matches.

caused or contributed to any violence . . . ?

at any time . . . caused or contributed to any violence or disorder in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

had taken all measures that other countries have taken.--[ Official Report , 19 June 2000; Vol. 352, c. 38.]

on the same grounds, or on any grounds arising from the same circumstances.

not to leave England and Wales before that time--

to surrender his passport to the constable.

Of the 391--

133 had convictions for violence, 200 for disorder, 38 for possession of an offensive weapon and 122 for criminal damage. I stress that those convictions were, in the main, not football-related.

97 per cent. of those arrested were not convicted or known football hooligans. That is of great importance in framing further legislative measures to tackle the phenomenon.--[ Official Report , 13 July 200; Vol. 353, c. 1182.]

caused or contributed to any violence or disorder.

Question put , That the amendment be made:--

The Committee divided: Ayes 58, Noes 211.

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