Oral Answers to Questions

Ian C. Lucas Excerpts

Thursday 15th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

I am sorry, but I do not think that trying to bring party politics into the matters is at all appropriate. Vulnerable young people have been abused by predatory individuals from all walks of life. Even suggesting that party politics is involved belittles the House.

[Ian C. Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)]

4. What discussions she has had with the Football Association on its governance arrangements.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Tracey Crouch)]

You will be unsurprised, Mr Speaker, to learn that I have had several discussions with the Football Association on this subject. As recently as Monday, I spoke to the chairman, Greg Clarke, and I was clear that I wanted reform and that the clear mechanism for achieving that is through compliance with the new code of governance for sport, which was published in October.

[Ian C. Lucas]

I have always been a great admirer of the Minister’s optimism, especially when we played on the same five-a-side team. Unfortunately, her optimism about the future of the FA is not shared by three of its previous chairmen, who said earlier this week that legislation was needed to address the deficiencies in the organisation. Will she therefore give an undertaking that, before the end of April, she will come to the House either to announce her agreement with the FA about future governance arrangements, or with proposals for legislation?