| |
(1) These data are on a
principal offence basis.
(2) Staffordshire police force were only able to
submit sample data for persons proceeded against
and convicted in the magistrates courts for the
year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher
orders of data these data are not robust at a
detailed level and have been excluded from this
table.
11 February 2002
PETITION
Fireworks
5.3 pm
Mr. Harry Barnes (North-East Derbyshire): I
wish to present a petition about the use and
abuse of fireworks.
There are problems in north-east Derbyshire and
surrounding areas that affect vulnerable people
such as children and the elderly, and also affect
animals. The petition is particularly concerned
with the impact on animals, but there is much
concern in my constituency about wider issues.
The person who organised the petition expected to
receive support only from friends, local vets and
animal organisations, but because she had written
two letters to the Derbyshire Times she
secured 1,866 signatures rather than the 500 or
so that she had anticipated. I only wish that I
could receive a similar response when the Derbyshire
Times contains material from me.
The petition reads:
To the House of Commons
The Petition of Brenda Elvidge and Others
Declares that the exploding of fireworks to
celebrate the demise of Guy Fawkes and other
national celebrations such as New Year's Eve now
extend by several days and even weeks both before
and after the named event and that the fireworks
sold for household use (which are also illegally
exploded in the streets) are now louder, last
longer and have a greater aerial range than
previously, thus causing great distress and
trauma to a multitude of domestic, wild and farm
animals over a prolonged period, resulting in the
need for veterinary care and the administration
of tranquillisers.
The petitioners therefore request that the House
of Commons shall urge the Home Office that the
welfare and safety of all animals be considered
whenever and wherever fireworks are exploded and
to achieve this the House of Commons shall
legislate for the period when fireworks are to be
sold and to rework The Fireworks (Safety)
Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No 2294) and legislate
for the type of firework available to unlicensed
individuals and to limit the number of days that
these fireworks may be exploded to two named days
per national celebration and that the length of
each display not exceed 2 hours.
And the petitioners remain etc.
The petition is in the name of Brenda Elridge of
Nethermoor road, Tupton, Chesterfield and the
other petitioners.
To lie upon the Table.
12 February 2002
Antisocial behaviour
10.5 am
Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton, South): I
congratulate the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr.
Randall) on securing the debate and
.................... ASBOs clearly define when
young people are out of control. I stress that we
are often talking about a small percentage of a
large group of people who get incensed when we
generalise about them. I therefore resist the
temptation to generalise, but that small group of
people are inevitably the victims of peer
pressure. Many of them find themselves acting
"having a bit of fun."
However, that bit of fun is at someone else's
expense. Too many letters and visits to
constituents have shown us what that bit of fun
has achieved.
During the run up to 5 November, I heard of many
episodes of youngsters throwing explosive
fireworks into people's homes, or putting them on
window-sills or through letter-boxes. In their
terms, they were having a bit of fun. That was
not a bit of fun but a nightmare for the people
who live in those homes.
14 February 2002
Scottish Parliament
Written Answers,
Thursday 14 February 2002
Fireworks
Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock
and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish
Executive what action it plans to take in order
to mitigate any distress and injury caused to
animals during the prolonged period of firework
use on and around 5 November.
Holding answer issued: 6
February 2002 (S1W-22226)
Dr Richard Simpson: The sale, supply and
safety of fireworks are consumer protection
matters and, as such, are reserved. The Scottish
Executive and the Scottish Fire Service fully
support the DTI's annual Firework Safety Campaign.
In 2001, the DTI's Firework Safety Toolkit was
issued to fire brigades across Scotland. Brigades
distributed the toolkit, including safety posters
and leaflets, to schools. Additionally, brigades
took further action which they considered
essential to raise awareness of bonfire and
firework safety issues in their local areas.
14 February 2002
Fireworks
Tony Wright: To ask
the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
what recent consultation has taken place with
trading standards officers on the subject of
fireworks. [33818]
Miss Melanie Johnson: I have sought
feedback from trading standards departments on
enforcement activities in respect of the
fireworks safety regulations.
John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State
for Trade and Industry when she will answer the
letters of 30 November 2001 and 10 January 2002
from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West
regarding nuisance fireworks. [32514]
Miss Melanie Johnson: I will be replying to
the hon. Member shortly.
25 February 2002
Mercury Vapour
Ian Lucas: To ask
the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the
amount of mercury vapour emitted in each of the
last five years by the burning of mercury (II)
thiocyanate in pyrotechnic products. [34522]
Mr. Meacher: There is a wide range in
estimates of the tonnage of fireworks used
annually in the UK. However on current
information our best estimate is that emissions
of mercury from this source may be in the order
of 150 kg per annum.
26 February 2002
Fireworks
Mark Tami: To ask
the Secretary of State for Health how many
firework-related injuries were treated by
hospitals during the Christmas and new year
period. [30266]
Yvette Cooper: The latest data available
show that, of 127 hospital in-patient episodes 1
in England in 2000-01 with the cause code "Discharge
of Firework" 2 , seven were
admitted in the December/January period. These
figures exclude accident and emergency patients
who were not admitted as an in-patient.
1 A finished consultant episode is a
period of in-patient care under one consultant
within one health care provider. These figures do
not represent the number of patients as a person
may have more than one episode within the year.
2 ICD10 Cause code W39: Discharge of
Firework.
27 February 2002
Fireworks
3.35 pm
Joan Ryan (Enfield, North): I beg to move,
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make
provision with respect to the retail sale of
fireworks and use of fireworks by the general
public.
I am sure many Members will be aware, if only
from their postbags, that the problems caused by
fireworks are extensive, and are no longer
restricted to an annual seasonal event. The
industry's voluntary code, which aims to promote
the safer use of fireworks, stipulates that they
are to be displayed to the public for only three
weeks prior to 5 November, and for a few days
afterwards. Unfortunately, however, the code is
notably redundant, and fireworks are readily
available to the public from retail outlets
throughout the year.
Several significant problems are caused by the
retail sale of fireworks. The most immediate is
the number of injuries resulting from their use.
In extreme cases their use can lead to fatalities.
That, tragically, happened in the case of 13-year-old
Martin Lamparter, a young man who lived in my
constituency with his family and who was killed
last December in an accident involving a firework.
The event has devastated his family and the local
community.
Even more tragic is the fact that Martin's death
was not an isolated incident. Five deaths in the
last five years have been directly attributable
to fireworks. All were unnecessary, and would
have been avoided had the retail sale of
fireworks to the general public been prohibited.
Yet despite the focus of past debate on the
subject--tending to centre on the devastating
effects of injury and the potential for
fatalities that fireworks possess--the hazard to
human welfare of fireworks has not proved a
sufficient propellant to effect the change in
legislation for which my Bill calls. Following
the implementation of the 1997 firework safety
regulations, there was an 8 per cent. reduction
in the number of firework casualties in 1998.
However, the 30 per cent. drop in the volume of
sales in that year makes the apparent decrease in
injuries superficial, as proportionally the
number of injuries was significantly higher. The
number of casualties increased in both 1999 and
2000.
In recent weeks I have received many letters
expressing support for the Bill, for a variety of
reasons--not just because of the physical
injuries that fireworks are capable of inflicting.
The National Campaign for Firework Safety
strongly supports the Bill, and has long
recognised that under current legislation
fireworks are a multi-faceted menace, at best a
nuisance and at worst fatal.
The support that I have received of late has come
not least from those concerned about the noise
generated by fireworks. The noise pollution is
not the occasional and tolerable inconvenience
that it was once, but an ever-increasing source
of fear and anxiety, especially to vulnerable
groups in society. Such distress is not confined
to people, but extends to domestic pets--some of
which have had to be put down as a result--as
well as farm animals and wildlife.
All those latter problems do not even necessarily
entail the abuse of fireworks. When fireworks are
deliberately misused, their effects are even more
profound, exacerbating the possibility of injury,
death and fear as well as fostering additional
problems. The abuse of fireworks results in
antisocial behaviour, criminal damage and--as
police in Oldham, Bradford and Northern Ireland
have found--their conversion into weapons.
Current legislation is failing to be effective
primarily because it is reactive. Police powers
are restricted to responding to specific offences
arising from the misuse of fireworks, and the
law, while making it an offence for under-18s to
purchase fireworks, does not make their
possession of fireworks illegal.
This is a serious problem. Statistics demonstrate
that the greatest percentage of firework injuries
are to those aged 15 or younger, accounting for
some 40 to 50 per cent. of all firework injuries
over the past five years. Such evidence clearly
demonstrates the ineffectiveness of current
regulations. If the current law were more
vigorously enforced and the under-age use of
fireworks all but eliminated, firework safety
could still not be guaranteed. Age alone does not
qualify someone to use explosive devices
responsibly and competently. Being old enough to
drive does not automatically qualify a person to
do so. The safety provisions relating to driving
require that a licence be obtained in addition to
an age criterion being met. I believe that there
is a strong enough case to draw a parallel
between driving and the use of fireworks.
Only those who are trained and licensed should be
able to access and use fireworks, because even
when they are used within the law and with the
best of intentions, they are still proving
hazardous. Addressing the many problems caused by
fireworks requires far more than the further
enforcement of current statutes or the
entrenching of the voluntary code into law. A
statutory code that emulates the current
voluntary code would not prevent the problems
that I have identified from manifesting
themselves around 5 November.
In addition, it is discriminatory to allow the
sale of fireworks to the public to commemorate
one historical and cultural event--bonfire night--but
to deny other celebrations such as Diwali and the
Chinese new year the opportunity to include
fireworks in their festivities. The only safe and
fair option is a complete ban on the retail sale
of fireworks to the general public. All
festivities would thus be entitled to include
fireworks as part of their celebrations, provided
that they were used in organised and licensed
displays.
There will be those who will object to such a
prohibition, perhaps because their profit or
employment depends on the sale or manufacture of
fireworks, yet the legal requirement for
pyrotechnic professionals will create a new niche
in the market. An economic calculation must be
balanced against the paramount principles of
public welfare and safety, and the cost borne by
the taxpayer in picking up the tab for the damage
caused by fireworks.
There will be those who will contest this Bill
under the banner of liberty, on the basis of
defending the public's freedom to continue to
purchase what essentially constitute explosives.
Ironically, in attempting to defend liberty they
fail to extend it to those who wish to be free
from excessive noise pollution, fear, criminal
damage and injury.
A further form of opposition will come from those
who claim that banning the retail sale of
fireworks to the public will result in the
creation of a black market. There is little
evidence to support that. However, those who cite
other examples of prohibition--such as alcohol--must
concede that lighting noisy, colourful explosives
is going to be much harder to conceal than
consuming alcohol in one's own home.
A ban on retail sales and possession by the
public of fireworks will invest the law with
greater clarity and make it a lot easier to
prosecute those who violate it. Numerous
statistics demonstrate the need for reform to
current firework legislation, for which neither
the Firework (Safety) Regulations 1997 nor the
Consumer Protection Act 1987 make adequate
provision.
A ban on the retail sale of fireworks to the
general public is the only way satisfactorily to
address the many problems created by fireworks
and to restore them to their role as a
celebratory and pleasurable phenomenon. There is
tremendous need--and equally tremendous public
support--for this Bill, and it is with both of
these things in mind that I urge Members to
support it.
3.43 pm
Mr. Robert Key (Salisbury): I rise to oppose
the Bill. It is only a little more than a month
since the hon. Member for Brent, North (Mr.
Gardiner) introduced his Bill. This Bill is even
more restrictive than his, but I oppose it not on
grounds of liberty, of whether one should have
fun or not, or of being a killjoy or a spoilsport.
I oppose it simply because it will not address
the fears and concerns of most people.
I have fought for a long time on the issue of
noise. The Bill that the hon. Member for Enfield,
North (Joan Ryan) will present shortly will not
prevent cruelty to animals--be they cats, dogs,
horses or wildlife. It will not stop antisocial
behaviour by bad neighbours or by yobs who buy
fireworks, legally or illegally. The hon. Lady's
Bill will not stop public display organisers
using very loud bangs. It will not protect the
elderly from loud noises or young children from
being frightened or injured by fireworks. It will
not stop shift workers or night workers having
their precious sleep shattered.
I shall not go into the regulations again. If hon.
Members read the debate initiated by the hon.
Member for Brent, North, they will see that there
are a lot of them.
I also support the position of the Under-Secretary
of State for Trade and Industry, the hon. Member
for Welwyn Hatfield (Miss Johnson), who I am
delighted to see in her place today. She said:
"We have no plans to ban the sale of
fireworks to the general public . . . The
Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 prohibit from
sale to the public several types of noisy
category 3 fireworks such as aerial shells and
restrict the size of the others. We will, of
course, consider any representations that are
made."--[Official Report, 26 November
2001; Vol.375, c. 672W.]
To her credit, she has done that.
The explosives industry group of the
Confederation of British Industry recognises the
great concern in the country and last year's
unprecedented reaction to firework noise. The
group has been working with the Department of
Trade and Industry to see what steps the industry
can take to alleviate the problem. It met the
Minister on 19 December 2001 to discuss a
possible action plan. One aspect of that plan was
for the industry to examine the noise aspects
appertaining to airbombs--the main culprit,
especially in the hands of hooligans--to see
whether it might be possible to stop supplying
them to consumers or voluntarily reduce the
decibel level to conform to the forthcoming
European standards. All those present at an
emergency meeting held at the recent Harrogate
toy fair, at which the main consumer fireworks
suppliers exhibit, resolved to take the single
tube airbomb out of circulation. That is a major
step for the industry to consider because orders
have already been placed and there is existing
stock. The industry takes a responsible view and
has been working with the Minister to find some
legal backing to enforce that possibility. The
DTI officials present at the Harrogate meeting
undertook to find out whether what the industry
wanted was within the scope of the Firework (Safety)
Regulations 1997. From then on it has been quite
clear that the industry is willing to address the
fears of the public.
I would press the Minister on one more important
point. Fireworks are imported, usually in
containers, through the British ports. I think
that most of them come through Felixstowe. Many
of them are sold under the counter or out of the
famous white vans. Those people are not bothered
about having legal, licensed explosives storage,
nor do they abide by the requirements. In order
to catch the dodgy importers--who may represent
only 1 or 2 per cent. of the fireworks trade--the
explosives industry group has proposed the
introduction of a tracking system from the point
of entry to the final destination of the
container, so that local authorities and the
police can follow up the shipments and seize
those that are illegal. That is why I urge the
Government to strengthen the role of the port
trading standards officers and encourage the
police to assist.
The explosives industry group is fully committed
to addressing the overall problem of firework
noise and wishes to convince the public that
responsible firework sectors take this matter
very seriously. I invite the House to consider
that it would be a much better proposition to
work with the industry and the Government to
achieve the objective that we all want--far less
noise from fireworks. People do not object to the
visual display; in almost every case it is the
noise. That point has been made in letter after
letter. The fireworks industry action plan should
be supported by the House.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, there is even something
that you could do--as could hon. Members and
anyone outside this place who feels strongly
about the matter. If people log on to my website,
robertkey.com, they will find that my online
voting topic for this month is fireworks. They
will see that, to date, voting is two to one in
favour of my proposal--to reduce the noise--against
the proposal of the hon. Member for Enfield,
North. There is an opportunity for everyone to
have their say online.
The Bill is not only restrictive but will not
work. I wish that the Labour Whips would take a
grip on their Back Benchers and encourage them to
support the Minister in her achievements so far.
Question put and agreed to.
Bill ordered to be brought in by Joan Ryan, Linda
Gilroy, Mr. Barry Gardiner, David Cairns, Dr.
Nick Palmer, Dr. Evan Harris, Bob Russell, Sir
Teddy Taylor, Ross Cranston, Siobhain McDonagh,
Shona McIsaac and Tony Wright.
Fireworks
Joan Ryan accordingly
presented a Bill to make provision with respect
to the retail sale of fireworks and use of
fireworks by the general public: And the same was
read the First time; and ordered to be read a
Second time on Friday 19 April, and to be printed
[Bill 101].
5 March 2002 Written Answers
Fireworks
Linda Perham: To
ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
what her policy is on reducing nuisance caused by
fireworks. [39757]
Miss Melanie Johnson: I understand the depth
of current concerns about fireworks, particularly
in relation to neighbourhood safety, noise and
nuisance. We are now actively considering with
relevant government departments what action can
be taken within existing legislation to address
these growing problems. I am also having further
talks with the industry.
25
March 2002
PETITIONS
Fireworks
10.29 pm
Dr.
Howard Stoate (Dartford): I have pleasure in
presenting a petition signed by more than 2,000
residents of north Kent, most of them pet owners,
expressing concern about the recent increase in
private firework displays throughout the year.
They feel that the suffering that their animals
are forced to endure from night after night of
fireworks is wholly unacceptable and unnecessary
and want legislation to be introduced as soon as
possible to restrict the sale of fireworks to the
general public to traditional festivals such as 5
November, new year's eve and Diwali.
The petition states:
The
Humble Petition of the residents of North Kent
sheweth
That the significant recent increase in private
firework displays throughout the calendar year is
causing considerable unnecessary distress to
domestic animals and livestock and undue nuisance
to residents.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your
Honourable House will take such measures as lie
within its power to restrict the use of fireworks
by the general public to New Year's Eve,
religious festivals during which fireworks are
traditionally used, such as Diwali, and the 14-day
period around 5 November, and further request
that the sale of fireworks by retail outlets be
restricted to the same 14-day period around 5
November and religious festivals and to the five-day
period up to and including New Year's Eve.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever
pray.
To
lie upon the Table.
10 April 2002
Fireworks
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To
ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
what action he will take to reduce the import of
illegal fireworks into Northern Ireland. [43943]
Jane Kennedy: The illegal import of fireworks
is one of the areas of concern being addressed as
part of the Fireworks Review, which I announced
on 12 October 2001. I will be announcing my
proposals shortly.
15 April 2002 Northern Ireland Office
Kennedy Announces New Restrictions On Fireworks
Security Minister Jane
Kennedy has announced plans to prevent the abuse
of fireworks in response to appeals from the
public.
Regulations were this morning laid before
Parliament which will prohibit the purchase,
possession, sale and use of garden fireworks
except under licence.
The change in the law, which is the result of the
Minister's review of firework policy announced in
October, will come into effect from 6 May 2002.
From that date, only those who successfully apply
for a licence from the NIO will be allowed to buy
garden fireworks.
"I regret having to take this step but I
know from the groundswell of public opinion
during the consultation process just how upset
many people have been by the constant abuse of
fireworks. What should be a source of
entertainment has, in many areas, become a public
nuisance," Ms Kennedy said.
"In particular many elderly people and
pet-owners are distressed every year by fireworks
being let off by young people and thrown into
gardens or doorways, frequently late at night.
This must stop.
"Families across Northern Ireland will
still be able to enjoy fireworks in a controlled
and safe way. But the action I have taken today
will help to ensure fireworks are used for
entertainment, rather than to injure, maim or
distress the elderly, those living alone or
helpless animals."
The move will also help to prevent the use of
fireworks as weapons against the police.
"I am not so naïve to think that these
measures alone will solve all the problems. But
today's regulations demonstrate that I will do
whatever is necessary to improve the quality of
life for both the general public and the security
forces," Ms Kennedy said.
"I recognise the concerns of retailers
who fear a potential impact on their livelihood
but I know from the appeals that I have received
that the vast majority of the public will welcome
this move."
15 April 2002
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Publicity
Mr. Bercow: To ask
the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if
she will list the publicity and advertising
campaigns run by her Department in each of the
last four years, specifying the (a)
purpose, (b) cost to public funds, (c)
number of staff involved and (d) method of
evaluation in each case. [39091]
Ms Hewitt: The table lists the costs of
DTI advertising campaigns through the COI for the
last four years for which final figures are
available. Information regarding the purpose,
number of staff involved, and method of
evaluation for each campaign is not held
centrally, and could be produced only at
disproportionate cost.
£
Amount (Ex VAT) 1997-98
Firework Safety 73,097 1998-99 Firework
Safety 73,863
17 April 2002
Firework-related
Injuries
Dr. Fox: To ask the
Secretary of State for Health what (a)
steps are being taken and (b) investment
is being made, to reduce firework-related
injuries. [47841]
Miss Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to
reply.
The comprehensive measures introduced by the
Firework (Safety) Regulations 1997 and actively
enforced by Trading Standards Departments are
supplemented by robust and targeted safety
campaigns to warn consumers of the dangers of
misusing
22 April 2002
Fireworks: Depleted
Uranium
The Countess of Mar asked
Her Majesty's Government:
Whether depleted uranium is present in any
fireworks, whether manufactured in the United
Kingdom or manufactured elsewhere and imported. [HL3660]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport,
Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer
of Thoroton): The Health and Safety
Executive's Explosives Inspectorate has wide
experience of licensing and inspecting sites used
for the manufacture and storage of fireworks. It
knows of no cases where depleted uranium (DU) has
been used in fireworks, whether they have been
manufactured in the UK or imported from elsewhere.
The primary function of DU in an explosives
context is its use in munitions designed to
penetrate armour plate. HSE is not aware of any
valid contribution that the material would make
to a pyrotechnic composition and in its view the
cost of using it would be prohibitive.
30 April 2002
HEALTH
Fireworks
Mark Tami: To ask
the Secretary of State for Health how many
firework-related injuries were treated in
hospitals in the UK during the Christmas and new
year period. [39894]
Yvette Cooper: I refer my hon. Friend to the
response I gave him on 26 February 2002,
1 May 2002
Fireworks
24. Chris Ruane: To
ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
what regulations cover the sale of fireworks in
Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
[51691]
Jane Kennedy: At present the sale of
fireworks is governed by the Explosives Act 1875
and Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations (Northern
Ireland) 1999. The Explosive (Fireworks)
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 which has
been laid before Parliament will then prohibit
the purchase, possession, sale and use of garden
fireworks except under licence and will come into
effect from 6 May 2002.
15 May 2002
Scottish Parliament
John Young (West of
Scotland) (Con): When I became a councillor
in Glasgow Corporation in 1964, I was put on the
police and fire committee. When I asked why the
two areas were not separate, I was told that they
had never been dealt with separately. The fire
service was obviously the poor relation in that
committee......
.......Another growing problem is the increase in
the use of fireworks. It is astonishing to think
that the black cat firework is a recent invention
and is perfectly legal. It is approximately 1.5
ft high and its instructions state that it should
not be detonated within 80 ft of any structure.
It has a velocity equivalent to a mortar bomb and
costs around £70. Last November, in Mike
Watson's Glasgow Cathcart constituency the lock-ups
between two tenement blocks were purposely set on
fire by fireworks. When the firemen arrived,
teenage thugs fired rockets at them. Other
fireworks were allegedly discharged at trains.
I understand that appropriate shops are only
supposed to store 1,000 kg of fireworks. However,
the shopkeeper could store similar quantities
elsewhere and use the excuse that the fireworks
are for his or his friends' personal use. The
thousands of dodgy fireworks that are imported
every year from the far east are a huge potential
risk. HM Customs and Excise says that it does not
have enough staff to carry out proper checks.
Storage abuse of fireworks is another potential
risk.
I believe strongly that fireworks legislation for
Scotland should be controlled by the Scottish
Parliament and not by Westminster. After all, a
fire and its aftermath involve Scottish fire
services, Scottish ambulance services, the
Scottish national health service, Scottish
police, Scottish local authorities and the
Scottish legal system. That said, I am not a
member of the Scottish National Party......…
Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): I am pleased
to contribute to the debate...............The
debate has been wide ranging. I have picked up on
pensions and control rooms, but others have
talked about fire prevention. However, we have
not covered the implications of fireworks for
fire prevention. I hope that the chamber will
have the opportunity to have a members' business
debate on Shona Robison's motion on the sale and
use of fireworks.
24 May 2002
Ms Drown: The issue is a bit of a nightmare.
......
Another issue that features in my postbag-and
that of other hon. Members-is the problem created
by fireworks and airguns. They injure many people
and animals. Only last month, a man in Swindon
was shot by a gas-powered, ball-bearing gun. The
ball-bearing went into his skull and missed his
eye by inches. That is just one incident, and
many animals are also injured. The Government
should consider introducing firework and airgun
controls so that we can reduce injuries to people.
Mr. Banks: Does the right hon. Gentleman
concede that fireworks are not only used on 5
November? Other communities also use them to
celebrate their festivals, which is one reason
for their more widespread use. Perhaps we should
consider each of those festivals and set a date
before which fireworks cannot be purchased.
On the right hon. Gentleman's concern about
animals, surely a limit should be set on the size
of the explosive fireworks that can be bought.
Some of them are huge: they are mortars. The
amount of noise that they make causes enormous
distress, not just to animals, but to old people
and to people of a nervous disposition, of which
I happen to be one. They are frightening and it
is about time that action was taken to deal with
them.
Mr. Knight: I agree that we should consider
the issue, and I hope that the Minister will feed
that back to his colleagues. However, I have
reservations about framing legislation on the
hoof, so I would not want to talk today about the
scope of such legislation or the clauses that it
should contain.
The
Parliamentary Secretary, Privy Council Office (Mr.
Stephen Twigg): If any hon. Member wishes to
visit ........
My hon. Friend the Member for South Swindon (Ms
Drown) raised many issues, as ever. I will not be
able to do justice to them all. I agree that we
need to address the issue of fireworks, and it is
being addressed in government. My hon. Friend the
Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) has raised
the matter, as has my hon. Friend the Member for
Enfield, North (Joan Ryan). The Government are
taking up the issue.
24 May 2002
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Fireworks
Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State
for Trade and Industry if she will publish the
fireworks injury statistics for 2001; and if she
will make a statement. [42754]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The total number of
persons recorded as attending hospital casualty
departments in Great Britain during the 2001
bonfire night period was 1362. This represents an
increase of 40 per cent on the previous year's
total of 972. There were no deaths in the 2001
Bonfire period but we are aware of one death
occurring outside the recording period.
The increase in recorded accidents causes great
concerns. We continue to do all we can to promote
safety and to prevent misuse of fireworks.
I am arranging for copies of the injury figures
together with the analytical and regional tables
to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses as
well as on the DTI website: www.dti.gov.uk.
28 May 2002
House of Lords
Tuesday,
28th May 2002.
The House met at half-past two of the clock: The
LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
Prayers-Read by the Lord Bishop of St Albans.
Fireworks
Lord Hardy of Wath asked Her Majesty's
Government:
Whether they have received substantial
representations concerning the use of fireworks
and what response has been offered.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,
Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury
of Turville): My Lords, we have received a
significant number of representations concerning
the use of fireworks. We recognise the depth of
public feeling on these issues, particularly in
respect of the noise and nuisance caused by the
misuse of fireworks. We are actively considering
across Government what action can be taken within
existing legislation to address the growing
problems. We are also having further talks with
the fireworks industry.
Lord Hardy of Wath: My Lords, while thanking
my noble friend for that Answer, perhaps I may
ask that more urgent attention is given to the
problem, not least for the Government to take
note of injuries to children and the effect on
wildlife, domestic pets and farm livestock. Does
my noble friend consider that the larger and
louder items more akin to military ordnance than
modern entertainment are best left to public and
well-organised displays rather than for ignition
in people's gardens? They can hardly be described
as private celebrations as they cause noise and
nuisance within a couple of miles radius.
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, as I
hope I made clear, we are concerned about
injuries and the noise, nuisance and distress
this causes to animals. We have been holding
discussions across Whitehall with the enforcement
authorities and the industry and we have made
some progress. We have agreed with the industry
that airbombs should be removed from general
retail sale and we should see the impact of that
towards the end of the year as existing orders
and stocks are used up.
That is an important issue because it is one of
the main causes of the problems. However, we need
to do more to address the wide variety of issues
raised.
Baroness Miller of Hendon: My Lords, as many
of the accidents involve imported fireworks, can
the Minister say what efforts the Government are
making to try to stop that, in particular the
import of fireworks which do not follow
regulations issued by the EC?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, I am
not certain whether there is information to
suggest that imported fireworks break the
regulations. However, I shall certainly follow
the matter up and if there is a problem notify
the noble Baroness.
Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate: My Lords,
given that the misuse of firearms in the wrong
hands can amount to-
Noble Lords: Fireworks!
Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate: My Lords, I
apologise, I meant fireworks in the wrong hands.
Old habits die hard. Given that their misuse can
amount to the use of an offensive weapon, will
the Minister agree that this is an ideal task to
be dealt with by the new community support
officers, who are provided for in the Police
Reform Bill?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, I agree
that fireworks can be used dangerously but I
believe that it is overstating the case to think
of them in terms of offensive weapons. The main
point is to ensure that we examine constantly the
issue of safety and their noise and nuisance
aspect and that their use is properly enforced
through the appropriate authorities.
Lord Campbell of Croy: My Lords, is the
Minister familiar with the saying that what goes
up must come down? Is he aware that large rockets
when spent can be dangerous missiles when they
return to earth?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, that is
a consideration but while it is alarming that
injury figures have risen it is impossible to
detect a particular aspect which has worsened.
Across the picture, we are seeing an increase in
injuries and therefore we need to examine safety
in general rather than a particular case.
Lord Mackie of Benshie: My Lords, is the
Minister aware that a great deal of pleasure is
being gained by a great number of people out of
well-conducted bonfires and firework displays and
that they should continue?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, we do
not believe that the case has been made for an
outright ban. As the noble Lord says, millions of
fireworks are sold and used safely each year and
they represent a popular form of entertainment.
Action we take must be taken against that
background.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: My Lords, I
declare an unremunerated interest as president of
the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
In view of the fact that the number of casualties-that
is, people requiring hospital treatment-following
bonfire night last year rose by a staggering 40
per cent, does my noble friend agree that the
problem of selling fireworks to children needs
urgent attention? Furthermore, will he examine
the new regulations introduced in Northern
Ireland which severely circumscribe the
conditions in which fireworks can be sold and
displays can take place?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords,
clearly, under-age selling is an issue and we
shall continue to do all that we can to prevent
it from taking place. So far as concerns Northern
Ireland, it has recently been announced by the
Security Minister at the Northern Ireland Office
that permission to sell fireworks under the
Explosives Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 will be
withdrawn, which means effectively banning retail
sales. In this case, as in others, the situation
in Northern Ireland is slightly different. The
issues there have focused on public order and
threats to the security forces rather than on the
issue of noise and nuisance, which are the
problems in this country.
Lord Razzall: My Lords, following on the
question from the noble Baroness, Lady Miller,
does the Minister accept that there is
significant concern regarding large fireworks
imported from overseas, particularly from China,
which I understand is the source of many of the
very dangerous fireworks that come into this
country? Will he indicate what the Government
propose to do about the matter?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, as I
said in answer to the noble Baroness, I shall
check whether there is any evidence that there is
a safety problem in particular areas. If that is
the case, we shall look carefully to see what
action we can take to stop up that hole.
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, first, I declare
an interest as vice-president of the National
Campaign for Firework Reform. Does the Minister
believe that if fireworks were new, they would be
allowed, given that they are somewhat dangerous?
That being the case, I ask the Minister not to
rule out the possibility of an outright ban on
everything except public organised displays.
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, it is
always rather difficult to answer such
hypothetical questions. There are many things
that we happily enjoy which might well be banned
in the current climate. As I said, at present we
are not thinking in terms of an outright ban. We
want to examine the issues of noise and nuisance,
which cause a great deal of distress to many
people as well as to their animals.
Earl Ferrers: My Lords, in the noble Lord's
desire, quite correctly, to look after safety,
can he ensure that the Government will not end up
being spoilsports?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, I hope
that I made it clear in my previous answer that
we are not thinking in terms of an outright ban.
This is a form of family entertainment which
gives much pleasure. Equally, we need to look
carefully at the issues of noise and nuisance
which affect other families and their animals.
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