§ 30. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what talks she has had with the manufacturers of fireworks regarding supplies to shopkeepers; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI have decided that my Department, in consultation with the other Departments concerned, will carry out a full review of the need for extending the existing controls over fireworks. The full range of possible measures will be considered, including new or extended restrictions on the availability of fireworks to the general public, on the age at which fireworks may be purchased or used, on the period during which sales may be made, on the types of firework available and on the licensing of outlets. As part of the investigation we shall shortly be circulating a36W consultative document and inviting all interests concerned to give their views.
§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will seek powers to ban the sale of explosive banger fireworks.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThis is one of the matters which will be considered in the course of the investigation by my Department into the possible need for further controls over fireworks, announced today in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. Johnson).
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what changes are envisaged in the conditions for the retail sales of fireworks, following the studies carried out into the law and practice on firework sales abroad and the discussions with retail organisations selling fireworks; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. Alan WilliamsInformation received in response to the Department's inquiries will be taken into account in the review of the present controls over fireworks, announced in the reply I gave today to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. Johnson).
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what further progress in curbing firework accidents has resulted from negotiations with the firework manufacturers; what plans now exist for phasing out jumping crackers; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. Alan WilliamsStatistics of firework accidents show that jumping crackers cause more injuries in relation to numbers sold than other varieties of firework. Following discussions with the Home Office, firework manufacturers have agreed voluntarily to phase out production of jumping crackers and I understand they will not be put on sale next year.
§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what progress has been made in the preparation of a code of conduct for organised firework displays following the consultations with the Greater London 37W Council, the Firework Makers' Guild and the National Campaign for Firework Reform; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. Alan WilliamsA guidance note on organised firework displays has been prepared jointly by the Home Office, the Firework Makers' Guild, the National Campaign for Firework Reform and the Greater London Council. The guidance, which replaced a number of previous separate documents produced by individual bodies, was circulated to local authorities and fire authorities throughout the country on 30th September. Over 4,000 additional copies have since been supplied in response to demands from local authorities.
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what were the classified statistics for injured people with burns and other injuries treated in hospital on 5th November 1973; when she will be able to make similar returns for 5th November 1974; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. Alan WilliamsStatistics for personal injuries caused by fireworks requiring hospital treatment are collected annually covering a four-week period around 5th November. The figures for 1973, which relate to the period from 14th October to 10th November, are set out below. Those covering a comparable period in 1974 are expected to be available in February 1975. Burns are not separately distinguished in the statistics
38W
FIREWORK INJURIES IN ENGLAND AND WALES Total number of persons injured 1,186 A. Place where injury occurred— (i) Family or private party 385 (ii) Public or semi-public party in park or open space 153 (iii) Casual incident in street 422 (iv) Other place 119 (v) Unknown 107 B. Type of firework involved— (i) Banger 356 (ii) Rocket 118 (iii) Jumping cracker 58 (iv) Display firework 280 (v) Home-made or extracted powder 38 (vi) Other than above 79 (vii) Unknown 257 C. Age group of persons injured— (i) Over 21 195 (ii) 16–20 74 (iii) 13–15. 248 (iv) Under 13 669
D. Severity of injury— (i) Died Nil (ii) Detained more than one night 80 (iii) Other severe injury 178 (iv) Minor injury 892 (v) Unknown 36