§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government the proportion of fireworks of other than entirely British manufacture on sale in this country during 1960–1962.]
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I regret that the exact figure is not available, but it is clear that the proportion is small.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, while appreciating the Answer which my noble friend has given me, I again ask him whether he will convey to his Department the need for still further decreasing imports of fireworks, in view of the high standard set by our own manufacturers.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I will certainly convey to my right honourable friend the gist of the noble Lord's remarks.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name of the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government the proportion of import licences refused due to fireworks being below the required safety standards during 1960–62.]
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I assume that the types of fireworks which the noble Lord has in mind are the devices which are used for amusement and display purposes on such occasions as Guy Fawkes Day. No applications for the grant of import licences under the Explosives Act were refused during this period.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, this is certainly gratifying news; but since firework manufacturers in this country recently decided to set up high safety standards, particularly in the case of the penny "bangers" which have caused so many nasty accidents, I hope that any fireworks which are imported will be subject to this ruling. Might I ask my noble friend for an assurance on that basis?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that no important licence is granted unless samples of the fireworks in question have been tested.