HL Deb 06 November 2000 vol 618 cc124-5WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consider re-imposing the ban on the sale and private use of fireworks in Northern Ireland. [HL4343]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

There has never been a general ban on the possession, purchase or use of fireworks by the public in Northern Ireland. Since 1970 a system of licensing has been in operation whereby anyone wishing to acquire all but the smallest fireworks required a licence from the Secretary of State. Following a review in 1996 the law was amended whereby the requirement for a licence has since been confined to the larger display-type fireworks. The law remains under review as evidenced most recently by the Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations (NI) 1999 which, inter alia, proscribed mini-rockets, certain categories of air bomb and firework of erratic flight.

Her Majesty's Government have no plans to introduce a general proscription of fireworks in Northern Ireland.