HC Deb 06 November 1996 vol 284 c1236
16. Mr. French

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the balance of payments position in the fireworks industry. [543]

Mr. John M. Taylor

The crude deficit with all countries for 1995 was £11.6 million.

Mr. French

Does my hon. Friend accept that Britain is exporting an increasing number of fireworks that are safe and reliable products, but importing an increasing number that turn out not to be safe and reliable? Notwithstanding the safety checks about which my hon. Friend spoke in answer to an earlier question, will he consider increasing the sanctions against importing companies that do not satisfy themselves adequately about the quality of the products that they import?

Mr. Taylor

In the spirit of the root-and-branch review that I am conducting, the answer to my hon. Friend's question is yes.

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