§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the responsibilities of(a) the fire service and (b) the trading standards officer for enforcing the law relating to the purchase of fireworks by children under the apparent age of 16 years in Metropolitan areas; and what changes have been made since March. [22819]
§ Mr. Jonathan Evans[holding answer 9 May 1995]: Prior to the revocation of the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1986, trading standards authorities had responsibility for enforcing those regulations relating to the supply of fireworks to children apparently under the age of 16. The fire service had no such responsibility. Since the coming into force of the Fireworks (Safety) (Revocation) Regulations 1995, section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875, as amended, prohibits the sale of fireworks to those apparently under 16 years of age and the police remain the appropriate enforcement authority.
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what body will be responsible for enforcing section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875, on the sale of firearms to children under 16 years after the coming into force of the Fireworks (Safety) Revocation Regulations 1995. [23009]
§ Mr. Jonathan Evans[holding answer 5 May 1995]: Following the coming into force of the Fireworks (Safety) (Revocation) Regulations 1995, the police remain the appropriate authority to enforce section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875, as amended, which prohibits the sale of fireworks to children apparently under 16 years of age.