HC Deb 01 November 1990 vol 178 cc777-8W
Mr. Pendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures his Department is taking to promote safety at fireworks events and at private bonfire parties; what was the number of injuries involving fireworks for each of the past five years; how much his Department will spend on publicity to promote firework safety this year; and how much was spent on publicity to promote firework safety for each of the past five years.

Mr. Redwood

The Government have phased out the more hazardous types of firework, approved the British standard for the performance and labelling of fireworks, strengthened the legislation against the abuse of fireworks and mount an annual firework safety campaign to persuade the public to treat fireworks with care. Figures for injuries were published in theOfficial Report on 21 March 1990, at columns 614–16. Each year we spend some £75,000 on publicity and the industry spends a similar amount.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his Department's budget for the current firework safety campaign; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Redwood

[holding answer 30 October 1990]: My Department is spending some £75,000 on this year's firework safety campaign, but we hope that this will attract as it did last year, several hundred thousand pounds' worth of media time as a result.

Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will review the law on fireworks, with a view to restricting disturbance to individuals and terror to pets over several weeks prior to 5 November.

Mr. Redwood

[holding answer 30 October 1990]: My Department keeps the law on fireworks under review. The present policy of restricting their sale to three weeks before 5 November and one week after, together with the rigorous enforcement of the law preventing the sale of fireworks to the under 16-year-olds and the throwing of fireworks about in the street and other public places, is designed to minimise disturbance to individuals and pets.

Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to seek to amend legislation relating to the use of fireworks to cover fireworks and fireworks displays other than in the period around 5 November.

Mr. Redwood

[holding answer 31 October 1990]: There is a voluntary agreement to restrict the sale of fireworks for the four weeks around 5 November, a law against selling fireworks to under-16s and against letting them off in the street. This provides a framework of protection, but my Department is always prepared to look at suggestions for improving firework safety.