Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic & Labour Party). It was answered on Tuesday, 23 October 2007 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee.

Voluntary Sports Clubs

Question: I thank the Minister for his reply. It was encouraging, because there is a great deal of misunderstanding in the sporting industry in Northern Ireland, particularly about regulation by the Security Industry Authority. Voluntary bodies believe that even their gatemen, just collecting a few pence at a country match, will be required to be trained and licensed at considerable expense. I am glad that the Minister has given his assurance. Will he write to me to indicate that voluntary sporting bodies, playing at their own grounds or perhaps on away games, will not require licences under the 2006 Act?

Answer: I am happy to reassure my hon. Friend on that and to write to him to set out in more detail the arrangements that will be in place. He might also be reassured to know that I have recently had a meeting with the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. I explained that my approach to the regulation of the security industry in relation to sport was to have a light touch and regulate only where absolutely necessary. For example, if a sports club had a licensed premises at its grounds and a doorman at that establishment was employed not by the sports body but by a separate security company, that individual would need to be regulated and licensed. People who operated on the gate, sold programmes or were involved in general safety stewarding would not be caught. If we proceed in that way, we will get the right balance between regulation and ensuring that we do not impose unnecessary burdens on voluntary organisations.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: NIGC c3
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons Grand Committees
Subjects: Clubs Licensing Northern Ireland Voluntary organisations Sports Security guards
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk