§ 22. Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional restrictions are proposed this year on the sale of fireworks. [76442]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 17 October 2002,Official Report, columns 889–90W, announcing a package of measures to address problems caused by fireworks.
§ Paddy TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the progress of her review of the legislation governing the sale of fireworks. [74853]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 21October 2002]: I would refer my hon Friend to an answer I gave on the 17 October, Official Report, column 889W announcing a package of measures to address problems caused by fireworks.
§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to restrict the sale and use of fireworks to(a) certain days of the year and (b) certain times of the day; and if she will make a statement. [76392]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Consumer Protection Act 1987 allows the Government to regulate the safety of fireworks supplied to the public, but not the periods when they are sold. This would require primary legislation. We have recently written to major retailers of fireworks and representative bodies to urge them to adhere to the voluntary sales agreement. This restricts the sales of fireworks to three weeks before November 5 and a few days after and for a similar period around new year. We have received a positive response.
As to usage, I would refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 17 October 2002, Official Report, columns 889–90W announcing a package of measures to address problems caused by fireworks. DEFRA are seeking to make it easier for local authorities to use the Night Noise Offence within the Noise Act 1996 which targets excessive noise from domestic premises after 11pm and before 7pm.
§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received on restricting the use of fireworks; and if he will make a statement. [75875]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonWe have received widespread representations from members of the public and hon. Members calling for restrictions on the use of fireworks.
§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she has taken to improve quality and safety controls on fireworks; and if he will make a statement. [75876]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonI would refer my hon. Friend to an answer I gave on the 17 October 2002,Official Report, column 889W announcing a package of measures to address problems caused by fireworks.
§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to restrict the sale of fireworks outside the traditional sales period prior to Bonfire Night; and if he will make a statement. [75877]
968W
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Consumer Protection Act 1987 allows the Government to regulate the safety of fireworks supplied to the public, but not the period when they are sold. This would require primary legislation. But we have entered into a voluntary agreement with the industry and retail trade whereby fireworks are sold to the public for three weeks before 5 November and for a few days after and for a similar period around New Year.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on Government policy on fireworks. [76430]
§ David WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps she is taking to improve firework safety. [76431]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby).
§ Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made on(a) the consultation on measures to tackle the misuse of fireworks announced by the Consumer Minister on 1 March and (b) the proposal to enable local authorities to refuse or revoke a licence of a retailer where the licensee is not considered to be a fit person for the sale of fireworks. [77968]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonI would refer my hon Friend to the answer I gave on 17 October 2002,Official Report, columns 889–90W, announcing a package of measures to address problems caused by fireworks.
As part of the package of measures, breaches of the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997, could be taken into account in deciding whether a person was fit to hold a licence. Under the proposed manufacture and storage of explosives regulations the power to withhold or revoke a licence applies only to breaches of health and safety legislation.