HC Deb 10 February 1975 vol 886 cc27-9
33. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she is now able to issue the firework casualty figures for November 1974; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Williams

Statistics based on information provided by hospitals in England and Wales relating to persons who received hospital treatment for injuries caused by fireworks during the period 13th October to 9th November 1974 have just become available. I will, with permission circulate them in the Official Report, with the figures for the comparable periods in the four preceding years.

Mr. Johnson

While not expecting an answer today, may I have an assurance that as soon as these figures are published the Minister will forthwith have consultative studies and then call a conference of all the bodies and organisations interested, particularly those concerned with the campaign for firework reform?

Mr. Alan Williams

I have indicated that I am publishing the figures in the Official Report. I am sure that my hon. Friend, whose deep interest in this matter

FIREWORK INJURIES IN ENGLAND AND WALES (4-week period in October/November)
Year
1974 1973 1972 1971 1970
TOTAL … … … … 883 1,186 1,260 1,059 1,164
PLACE OF ACCIDENT
1. Family or private party … 267 385 441 382 433
2. Public or semi-public party 137 153 166 139 155
3. Casual incident in street etc … … … 272 422 422 349 399
4. Other place … … 89 119 95 88 87
5. Do not know … … 118 107 136 101 90
TYPE OF FIREWORK
1. Banger … … … 228 356 369 316 359
2. Rocket … … … 70 118 129 126 160
3. Jumping Cracker … 42 58 51 47 46
4. Other flyabout (flying saucer, helicopter, whirlibird etc.) … 52 Included in 7
5. Display Firework (e.g. Roman Candle or Coloured Fires etc.) … 151 280 262 223 250
6. Home made or extracted powder … … … 29 38 54 57 48
7. Other … … … 60 79 83 82 95
8. Do not know … … 251 257 312 208 206

I well understand, will welcome the fact that the injuries figure for last year, the lowest ever, represents a 25 per cent. fall compared with the previous year.

I have already given a commitment to the House that I will issue a consultative document. I hope to get it out by the end of March. Every group with a special interest and information will have the right to participate in the discussion. I doubt whether a conference as such would be the most appropriate way of dealing with this matter. This is the kind of issue in which the individual details need to be argued in depth.

Mr. Gwilym Roberts

We greatly welcome the steps being taken by my hon. Friend. However, when this was a matter for the Home Office many of us had hoped to see legislation before another 5th November. I would earnestly point out that my hon. Friend must get cracking if something is to be done before then.

Mr. Alan Williams

Having the generosity to interpret that as an unintentional pun, I should point out that when my hon. Friend looks at the figures he will find that we were justified in waiting to see them as they may upset certain preconceived positions taken by some individuals. For example, the accident trend with organised firework displays is not as encouraging as the figures generally. Important matters of public interest are involved which merit full public discussion.

SEVERITY OF INJURY
1. Died … … … 0 0 0 1 0
2. Detained more than one night … … … 70 80 91 69 74
3. Sufficient to cause absence from work or equivalent 121 178 143 88 104
4. Minor injury … … 654 892 1,009 879 965
5. Do not know … … 38 36 17 22 21
AGE GROUP OF INJURED PERSONS
Over 21 … … … 131 195 167 145 184
16–20 … … … … 58 74 68 56 96
13–15 … … … … 184 248 257 210 226
Under 13 … … … 510 669 768 648 658
SEX OF CASUALTIES
Male … … … … 713 966 1,022 851 913
Female … … … 170 219 235 203 251
Not recorded … … … — 1 3 5 0
EYE INJURIES … … … 372 448 449 386 418