§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made on the control of fireworks. [158284]
§ Mr. SutcliffeUnder the Fireworks Act 2003 we have already made the Fireworks Regulations 2003 which came into force on 22 December. These Regulations make it an offence for the under 18s to possess fireworks in public places and for all members of the public to possess the large and powerful category 4 fireworks used at professionally organised displays.
Also we are currently consulting on draft regulations to be made under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 to enshrine in law the firework industry's voluntary ban on air bombs.
Preliminary consultations on implementing the remainder of the Fireworks Act are continuing and draft regulations will be published during the first half of this year to introduce a national curfew banning the use of fireworks during anti-social hours; a noise limit of 120 decibels on consumer type fireworks; a compulsory training course for operators of public displays and a new licensing system for the sale of fireworks.