§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take steps(a) to ban over-the- counter sale of fireworks, (b) to introduce a local licensing system for applications to use fireworks for party and community events and (c) to regulate the sale of fireworks through order-only companies; and if she will make a statement. [81483]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Government do not believe the case has been made for banning the sale of fireworks to the public. Primary legislation would be required to do this as well as regulating the sale and use of fireworks. The Consumer Protection Act 1987 only allows the making of regulations to control the safety of fireworks as a product.
Also, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 17 October 2002, Official Report, columns 889–90, announcing a package of measures to address problems caused by fireworks.