§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans she has to heighten public awareness of(a) the dangers of fireworks and (b) the effects of fireworks on animals; [9240]
(2) what plans she has to restrict the decibel level of fireworks; [9242]
(3) what plans she has to review firework legislation; and if she will make a statement; [9243]
(4) what control the Government have over fireworks bought on the internet; and if she will make a statement; [9244]
(5) what plans she has to restrict the use of fireworks to a limited time period. [9241]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 24 October 2001]The Department has recently launched this year's fireworks safety campaign informing the public of the dangers posed by fireworks. The theme of this year's campaign, is to urge children and young people to take care when using or being near fireworks. As part of the campaign, around 2,000 information packs to help mount local safety campaigns have been distributed to trading standards, fire brigades, health promotion units, environmental health officers and police forces. In addition over 25,000 special information packs have been distributed for use in schools.
The public is warned of the effects of fireworks on animals through the fireworks code, which advises pet owners to keep pets indoors. Each pack of fireworks on sale contains a copy of the code.
Fireworks on sale in the United Kingdom are required under the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 to adhere to British Standards BS 7114 which restrict the size and weight of fireworks. I have no plans to change this at present, although we are involved in the proposed European Standard which is likely to specify sound levels for certain fireworks.
We have no plans to restrict the use of fireworks to a limited time period. The working of regulations safeguards is kept under regular review.
United Kingdom based firework companies selling over the internet are subject to the provisions of the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997.
§ Stephen HesfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department has taken to reduce accidents from fireworks. [10473]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe comprehensive measures introduced under the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 are again being supplemented by a robust, targeted firework safety campaign. The measures include controls on the types and size of fireworks which can be sold to the public, and prohibiting sales to those under 18 years of age.
The emphasis of this year's campaign, is that children and young people should take care when using or being near fireworks. As part of the campaign, around 2,000 information packs to help mount local safety campaigns 754W have been distributed to trading standards, fire brigades, health promotion units, environmental health officers and police forces. In addition over 25,000 special information packs have been distributed for use in schools.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many reported incidents involving injuries with fireworks in each of the last five years have involved(a) minors and (b) adults as the alleged perpetrators of the incidents in (i) Scotland and (ii) the UK; [13164]
(2) how many reported incidents involving injuries with fireworks in each of the last five years have involved (a) minors and (b) adults as victims of the incidents in (i) Scotland and (ii) the UK.
[13165]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 8 November 2001]The following data were collected from Accident and Emergency Departments in Great Britain over the firework season. Data are collected separately by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland. These figures are recorded cases of accidental injury involving fireworks. We have no statistics relating to alleged perpetrators of incidents.
Scotland England and Wales Year Under 18 Over 18 Under 18 Over 18 2000 49 19 508 396 1999 45 37 549 425 1998 47 13 414 353 1997 35 22 439 412 1996 61 24 647 501
§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further plans she has to regulate the sale and use of fireworks for purposes other than organised displays. [13984]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonWe have no plans further to regulate the sale and use of fireworks.