§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to launch a public awareness programme after the introduction of the fireworks regulations. [136286]
§ Mr. SutcliffeA communication strategy to make those affected aware of the new regulations is in preparation and will be finalised when the timing and details of the regulations are decided.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department has had and plans to have with(a) police forces and (b) local authorities about the implementation of the new fireworks regulations and their enforcement. [136287]
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§ Mr. SutcliffeThe Department has had preliminary discussions on fireworks regulations both to come into force before the end of the year and those regulatory proposals scheduled for implementation later on, in 2004.
Specifically, with respect to (a), discussions have taken place on the powers required by the police to enforce possession offences under the Act; and, (b), on the role of local authorities in setting up the requisite machinery for the planned national curfew on firework use, which will be a part of the raft of measures to come into force in 2004.
We will continue consultations and discussions on all proposed regulations in the coming months.
§ Mr. BaileyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is her policy that the sections of the Fireworks Act 2003 that concern anti-social behaviour and fireworks should be in force by Christmas [135922]
§ Mr. SutcliffeThe Department will implement two provisions of the Fireworks Act 2003 by the end of this year—those concerned with the antisocial use of fireworks. Those are:
- a prohibition on the possession of fireworks in public places by those under the age of 18; and
- a prohibition on the possession of category 4 fireworks by the general public.
Other aspects of the Act concerned with both supply and other antisocial behaviour issues we intend to implement by the summer of 2004.