HC Deb 18 December 1970 vol 808 cc489-90W
Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made to him by the British Safety Council concerning the toy known as "The Party Popper".

Mr. Sharples

The council wrote on 15th December expressing its concern at the sale of these devices and asking for a meeting.

Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when, by whom and for what purpose, was the toy, known as "Party Popper", submitted for examination to the Explosives Department of the Home Office; and what was the result of the examination.

Mr. Sharples

On a number of occasions since 1964, samples have been submitted to H.M. Inspectors of Explosives, by the importers, of party poppers, a form of indoor firework which ejects streamers. This has been done in order to establish whether a licence was required under the Explosives Act, 1875, for their importation. Tests carried out on these occasions have shown that party poppers made of paper are no more dangerous than the conventional Christmas cracker, and they have therefore been regarded as non-explosive.