Football: World Cup
Lord Faulkner of Worcester asked Her Majesty's Government:
What preparations they have made to secure the safety of English football supporters attending the World Cup competition in Germany.
My Lords, everything possible is being done to prevent disorder during the World Cup. The German police have expressed a willingness to welcome visiting England fans and treat them on their behaviour, rather than their reputation. They are aware that England fans may be the victims of violence and have offered reassurance that they will protect as well as police the fans. Equally, it is up to the fans to build on recent successes and demonstrate their passion in a peaceful way.
My Lords, that is a very encouraging reply and I thank my noble friend for it. I am sure that she will wish to send her very best wishes to the England team as they fly out to Germany this afternoon. Two specific questions arise from her answer. First, how many known troublemakers are the subject of banning orders and have thus been prevented from travelling to Germany for the World Cup? Secondly, does she agree that one of the most hopeful developments of recent years has been the establishment of what are called fans' embassies in the host cities, so that England supporters going to those cities know where to go for advice and help? Do they not reflect really well on all the parties that have worked so hard to achieve them?
My Lords, I wholeheartedly endorse two things that my noble friend said. I, too, extend very best wishes to our football team, who we all hope will be victorious. Secondly, I absolutely agree with him about the establishment of the fans' embassies, which have done extremely well. Today, 3,389 banning orders are in place, preventing troublemakers from travelling to the World Cup. An additional 200 persons are prevented from travelling by bail conditions imposed by courts in respect of adjourned banning order hearings, so a really good system is in place to prevent people travelling who should not be travelling.
My Lords, would there not be less concern about the safety of English soccer fans if they all behaved as well as the best of our supporters? Will the Minister leave the German people in no doubt that this House is equally concerned for the safety and security of German citizens?
Baroness Scotland of Asthal:
My Lords, I absolutely endorse what the noble Baroness has said, but I should remind the House that England fans have behaved quite exemplarily. There have been just five arrests in connection with England's last nine overseas matches, which England fans should be proud of and congratulate themselves on.
My Lords, will the Minister assure the House that all possible steps will be taken to prevent neo-Nazis, whether from Britain or elsewhere, causing trouble at the games in Germany, and to exclude or to remove them if necessary?
My Lords, I can certainly reassure my noble friend that a very firm line is being taken on these issues. England fans must respect German law. Noble Lords will know that Germany takes a very clear line on this issue at the moment. The onus is on the fans to comply with any behavioural request made by the host police. Noble Lords should also know that our English police, many of whom will be in uniform, will be very aware of this. They are vigilant, and they will ensure that all steps are taken to make our fans comply properly.
My Lords, can the Government confirm that we are co-operating with the German police by passing on all our practical intelligence when dealing with soccer hooligans from other nations? Will the Minister also assure us that the German legal system will ensure that the appeal process for anyone convicted on grounds that later turn out to be suspect is fully operational? Should that be given as an example to all other nations, particularly those who want to join the EU?
My Lords, I certainly assure the noble Lord that we are working very closely indeed with our German counterparts. The English police have undertaken a range of functions in Germany and the transit countries. About 50 uniformed police officers will have powers, but their role will primarily be about the interaction between fans and the host police.
Anglo-German judicial co-operation is in place, and includes the deployment of a Crown prosecution team of three prosecutors and three police officers in Germany to work closely with their German counterparts. The Crown Prosecution Service will assist German prosecutors and gather available evidence on any England fan subject to the host criminal justice system. We are doing absolutely everything that we can to act together to ensure that everything is lawful and proper.
My Lords, is the Minister aware of the many contributions being made by voluntary fan groups from the different nations, and of the extent of their involvement in preparations to bring together fans from different countries wherever they are? In that respect, would she also care to comment on any guidance being given to black and ethnic minority supporters who have been put off from going because of the declared no-go zones in parts of Germany, which are aimed at keeping them away by threatening them with violence?
My Lords, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the noble Lord for his sterling efforts in the "Let's kick racism out of football" campaign, which has made a huge impact on the issue. We are doing as much as we can, and I commend all those organisations that are working so hard to ensure that our fans behave properly and are properly supported. The Home Office has supported a fan-led initiative in Germany to generate general good will and positive images of English fans and to influence host perceptions. There have been joint English-Trinidadian cricket matches, five-aside football, the carnival in Nuremberg—events of that sort—so we are doing everything we can to ensure that people understand that this is a multicultural, joyous opportunity to celebrate together.
My Lords, can the noble Baroness assure us that these banning orders will be put into operation with the same infallible reliability with which her department has implemented other control mechanisms in other fields?
My Lords, the banning orders have been extraordinarily successful, and I commend all those who have participated in them. One knows they have been successful because the number of incidents of our fans behaving badly has gone down. We should all rejoice about that.
My Lords, have the officers we are sending come from one police force or from police forces all over the United Kingdom?
My Lords, it is a very mixed force, as opposed to coming just from one.
© Lords Hansard 5 June 2006