§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning the deregulation of fireworks; and if he will make a statement. [80]
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Mr. John M. TaylorMy Department receives many representations each firework season on many issues associated with fireworks including the availability of fireworks to the general public, the great variety and power of fireworks now available, the inappropriate use of fireworks and sales to the under-16s. For these reasons, I announced on 28 March 1996 that a review of the statutory and voluntary controls of fireworks would be undertaken. A discussion document was issued on 31 July and comments invited by 11 October. These are now being analysed.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidance he has introduced in respect of fireworks and firework safety; and if he will make a statement. [31]
Mr. TaylorMy Department has provided 5 million safety advice leaflets aimed at those buying fireworks, distributed to the point of sale with the help of the fireworks industry, backed up by 5,000 posters at sites throughout the country. In addition, we have circulated thousands of leaflets to help display organisers and make shopkeepers aware of the law on selling fireworks. Finally, television publicity has been produced and a video on firework safety made available to primary schools on request.
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§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions relate to the sale of category 4 display fireworks; and if he will make a statement. [30]
Mr. TaylorBritish standard 7114:1988 makes it clear that category 4 fireworks are not suitable for use by the general public and should carry a warning to that effect. The General Product Safety Regulations 1994, for which BS 7114 is a relevant standard for assessing the safety of fireworks, make it an offence to supply products, such as category 4 fireworks, to persons in whose hands they are likely to be unsafe.