§ Mr. HepburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further measures she will take to enforce the age restrictions on the sale of fireworks at(a) new year and (b) fireworks night 2002. [22663]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonEnforcement of the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 is the responsibility of local authority trading standards departments. I have sought feedback from trading standards departments on levels of compliance and enforcement issues following this year's fireworks season.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what recent representations she has had regarding the inappropriate use of fireworks; [18155]
(2)what action the police and local councils can take to control the inappropriate use of fireworks; [18153]
(3)what action she plans to control the inappropriate use of fireworks; and if she will make a statement. [18154]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Department has received representations from the public concerning the impact of noise, the misuse of fireworks in public places and issues of safety.
Under current legislation it is an offence under section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875 to throw or set off fireworks in any highway, street or thoroughfare or public place. The power to enforce this section of the Act rests with the police.
All fireworks sold to the public must also comply with the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997. The regulations, among other things, ban certain types of larger and more 944W powerful products from retail sale, set the minimum age for purchasing fireworks at 18 years and require that all fireworks for sale must comply with the British Standard (BS7114). Local authority trading standards officers enforce the regulations.
In addition the Department runs an annual fireworks safety campaign, working closely with police, fire brigades and local authorities to promote safety messages during the firework season. This year over 25,000 safety toolkits were distributed to schools for use in the classroom to heighten awareness of the dangers of fireworks and to promote considerate behaviour.
We believe that the current restrictions on the sale of fireworks and rules on their use, backed up by an active safety campaign, provide the right level of control over the sale of fireworks. We have no present plans to introduce further controls but will continue to keep the position under review.