HC Deb 08 November 1962 vol 666 cc1142-4
21. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what details are now available of the number of accidents caused by fireworks on 5th November last.

24. Mr. Boyden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has adopted since 1st February, 1962, to reduce the number of accidents from the use of fireworks.

Mr. Woodhouse

Discussions with the manufacturers of fireworks have led to their setting up a Safety Association with the objects of co-operating with my Department in the safe design of fireworks and of promoting publicity to urge their safe use. Wide publicity was given to safety measures before 5th November this year and my right hon. Friend is grateful for the co-operation of the press and broadcasting authorities.

With a view to considering what further measures might be adopted my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has arranged to obtain from hospitals detailed information about people receiving in or out-patient treatment for firework injuries between 15th October and 10th November. No reliable information about the number of accidents on 5th November is yet available.

Mr. Lipton

May I thank the hon. Member for that reply, which indicates that at last the Government are beginning to wake up to the fact that Guy Fawkes dead does far more damage to persons and property than Guy Fawkes was able to do when he was alive? Will the Government now take into account the statistics which are shortly to be forthcoming and if necessary, with or without the co-operation of the manufacturers of these explosive missiles, take some action to reduce the dangers in future years?

Mr. Woodhouse

My right hon. Friend will take (full account of the statistical and other evidence when it is available, but I cannot in advance commit him to any particular course of action.

23. Mr. Boyden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires were caused by fireworks and bonfires on 4th and 5th November in the county of London.

Mr. Woodhouse

The number of fires caused by fireworks and bonfires is not yet known, but the total number of calls received by the London Fire Brigade on Monday, 5th November, was 433, compared with 613 on Saturday, 4th November, 1961. There were 135 calls on Sunday, 4th November, this year.

Mr. Boyden

Did the Under-Secretary see the B.B.C. television broadcast when a firework manufacturer said that the Home Office statistics on this subject were useless? Does he agree with that? If he does, will he take some steps to remedy it, and, if he does not agree with it, will he take steps to see that the maximum publicity is given to and full co-ordination is made of all the statistics relating to this subject?

Mr. Woodhouse

The answers to the first two of those supplementary questions in both cases are "No". The others, therefore, do not arise.