§ 21. Mr. Gwilyn Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what study she has made of the consultative document on firework accidents; if, in the light of this study, she will take steps to reduce firework accidents; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. Alan WilliamsAbout 60 organisations, representing a wide range of interests, have submitted their views. I am now holding urgent discussions with the industry and distributors' associations.
§ Mr. RobertsAlthough my hon. Friend may not be prepared to go as far as some of us would wish in this direction, will he give us an assurance that there will be early action concerning, for example, the raising of the age at which fireworks may be bought, or the introduction of stiffer penalties for those shopkeepers and others who infringe the provisions? Will he also consider those fireworks which, according to the consultative document, appear to lead to most accidents, with a view to banning them?
Mr. Alan WilliamsMy hon. Friend is right in pinpointing the fact that we now seem to have two fairly clear options available to us. The first is to go for a complete ban of retail sales and have only organised displays. The second is to go for a package of measures which may further reduce the rate of accidents. It is in order to establish precisely what is available in the second package that I am meeting the retailers tomorrow, before I make a final decision. I have already had initial discussions with the manufacturers. Although there has been a massive fall in the number of accidents, from over 2,400 in 1968 to 896 last year, we hope that there will be a further fall this year and that by the action we shall take, as a result of these consultations, we shall still further reduce the number in the following year.
§ Miss FookesDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that if fireworks were a new device, no Government would consider allowing them for general sale to the public? Will he give a short snappy answer, like "Yes" or "No"?
Mr. Alan WilliamsIn reply to the hon. Lady's second question—"No". I understand that she wants a similar short, snappy reply to her first question, but the matter has to be considered on its merits. The inspectorate has responsibility and ample power to stop the retailing of these products in cases where it considers that they present a particular danger to the public. There are, at present, certain imported fireworks which are virtually in bond, because the inspectorate will not allow them to be distributed.