Fireworks

Trade and Industry written question – answered at on 13 December 2001.

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Photo of Bob Spink Bob Spink Conservative, Castle Point

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) what recent representations she has had regarding the inappropriate use of fireworks;

(2) what action the police and local councils can take to control the inappropriate use of fireworks;

(3) what action she plans to control the inappropriate use of fireworks; and if she will make a statement.

Photo of Miss Melanie Johnson Miss Melanie Johnson Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry

The Department has received representations from the public concerning the impact of noise, the misuse of fireworks in public places and issues of safety.

Under current legislation it is an offence under section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875 to throw or set off fireworks in any highway, street or thoroughfare or public place. The power to enforce this section of the Act rests with the police.

All fireworks sold to the public must also comply with the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997. The regulations, among other things, ban certain types of larger and more powerful products from retail sale, set the minimum age for purchasing fireworks at 18 years and require that all fireworks for sale must comply with the British Standard (BS7114). Local authority trading standards officers enforce the regulations.

In addition the Department runs an annual fireworks safety campaign, working closely with police, fire brigades and local authorities to promote safety messages during the firework season. This year over 25,000 safety toolkits were distributed to schools for use in the classroom to heighten awareness of the dangers of fireworks and to promote considerate behaviour.

We believe that the current restrictions on the sale of fireworks and rules on their use, backed up by an active safety campaign, provide the right level of control over the sale of fireworks. We have no present plans to introduce further controls but will continue to keep the position under review.

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