§ Mr. GROVESasked the Home Secretary the Regulations governing the sale of fireworks; and whether, in view of the increasing number of accidents clue to the sale and use of fireworks, he will consider the necessity of making Regulations governing the stocking, exposure and sale of such articles?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe storage, sale, etc., of fireworks are already regulated under the provisions of the Explosives Act, 1875. A person who keeps fireworks for sale must have his premises registered with the local authority and he must comply with the Regulations governing registered premises which, among other things, limit the quantity that may be kept and strictly specify the methods of storage. It is also an offence to sell fireworks to young children. The Regulations have in practice been found adequate. Accidents from fireworks are comparatively rare and there has been no marked increase in their number in recent years. Unless fireworks are entirely prohibited it is impossible to prevent occasional accidents from careless or improper handling.