§ Mrs. Shieldsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to restrict further the sale of fireworks to individuals.
§ Mr. HowardThe Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1986 give magistrates the power to impose a penalty of fines up to £2,000 or three months imprisonment on retailers who 205W sell fireworks to the under-16s. The Consumer Protection Bill will give magistrates power to impose similar penalties for throwing fireworks about in the street.
I do not intend to ban the retail sale of fireworks altogether since many people get a great deal of innocent pleasure from domestic fireworks parties.
I will continue to keep under review the scope for reducing the number of firework injuries. The 1986 fireworks safety campaign had novel features and I believe achieved considerable impact. Officials will shortly be discussing with the suppliers the scope for changes in the voluntary restraint arrangements whose effect on the accident and injury statistics should not be underestimated.