§ 5. Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes) (Lab)How many responses she has received to the consultation on "Proposals to Tackle the Anti-Social Use of Fireworks through the Regulation of Use and Supply." [182682]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. Gerry Sutcliffe)To date we have received approximately 720 responses, the majority of which were collected from constituents of Members of Parliament both at Westminster and at the Parliament in Scotland.
§ Shona McIsaacI appreciate that answer. Perhaps my hon. Friend can confirm whether that figure includes the 480 responses from residents of Cleethorpes constituency, who overwhelmingly backed tougher restrictions to deal with the misuse of fireworks. I make an appeal to my hon. Friend on noise limits, because 120 dB is far too high a level for fireworks. Will he consider the noise limits, and when will the regulations become law?
§ Mr. SutcliffeI congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Cleethorpes (Shona McIsaac) and all her colleagues on the all-party fireworks group, who have worked with us to try to make the regulations appropriate for the firework season. The noise level is a particular problem, but we have worked with the industry and the community to establish an appropriate level. The figure of 120 dB seems to be the fairest option. We take into consideration all the recommendations put to us, and the regulations will—I hope—be announced very soon.