§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the role of HM Customs and Excise is in respect of monitoring cargoes of explosives, with particular reference to fireworks, entering the United Kingdom. [135643]
§ John HealeyAs part of the Government's measures to tackle firework misuse, announced in October 2002 by my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Miss Melanie Johnson), then Minister for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Markets, Customs advise the Health and Safety Executive of commercial imports of fireworks which are of concern to HSE.
Customs enforce anti-smuggling controls against imports of illicit explosives and have powers to detain on behalf of Trading Standards officers any fireworks suspected of being unsafe.