§ Linda GilroyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish the fireworks injuries statistics for the 2000 bonfire night period; and if she will make a statement. [6462]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe total number of persons recorded as attending hospital casualty departments in Great Britain during the 2000 bonfire night period was 972. This represents a decrease of 8 per cent. on the previous year's total of 1,056. However, there were two deaths in the 2000 bonfire period; these are the first firework related deaths since 1996.
606WThere are some encouraging trends within the statistics. Sparkler injuries fell from 134 in 1999 to 104 in 2000 a decrease of 22 per cent. Rocket injuries also fell to 135 from 211 a decrease of 36 per cent.
Injuries in the 16–20 age group fell from 119 in 1999 to 93 in 2000 a 22 per cent. decrease and injuries to under 13s also fell by 10 per cent. from 391 in 1999 to 350 in 2000.
However injuries to 13 to 15-year-olds rose by 8 per cent. from 142 in 1999 to 154 in 2000. We will further target this age group as part of the 2001 firework safety campaign.
I am arranging for draft copes of the injury figures together with the analytical and regional tables to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses as well as on the DTI website www.dti.gov.uk.