HC Deb 07 April 1975 vol 889 cc346-7W
22. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many visits have been made by Her Majesty's Inspector of Explosives to firework factories during the last 12 months to the latest available date.

Mr. Harold Walker

I am informed by the Health and Safety Commission that Her Majesty's Inspectors of Explosives made 19 visits to fireworks factories during the calendar year 1974.

Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the fireworks factories visited by Her Majesty's Inspector of Explosives during the past 12 months to the latest available date.

Mr. Harold Walker

The information relates to fireworks as ordinarily so called, that is shop goods and display fireworks, and not to other kinds of pyrotechnics such as fumigant devices and distress flares, and is limited to the factories that make such fireworks.

I am informed by the Health and Safety Commission that during 1974 Her Majesty's Inspectors of Explosives visited 11 factories employing a total of about 2,500 people. There are three other factories of this kind, but these are small and will be visited in due course. As a result of these visits manufacturers were in some cases required to make modifications to their operating procedures, and repeat inspections were carried out to ensure compliance. There were two prosecutions for failure to comply with the terms of licence, both successful.