HC Deb 01 March 1951 vol 484 cc2279-80
30. Mr. Sidney Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the disquieting position disclosed in the 1949 Report of His Majesty's Inspectors of Explosives regarding the manufacture of dangerous explosive fireworks, he will immediately take steps to introduce legislation designed to inflict severe penalties on the manufacturers of these fireworks.

Mr. Ede

I hope that the House will shortly have an opportunity of discussing this matter, when the Fireworks Bill, presented by my hon. Friend the Member for Oldbury and Halesowen (Mr. Moyle), the Second Reading of which is put down for 9th March, is considered.

Mr. Marshall

Is it the intention of the Government to support the Bill? If so, will the penalties proposed in the Bill be vastly increased over what is now suggested?

Mr. Ede

Before I announce my support of a Bill I should like to hear the view of the House on it. I think the penalties are adequate, but, there again, I shall listen to the view of the House.