Do you support restrictions on the sale of fireworks?

As you will see from some of my earlier responses below I have been lobbying Ministers on this issue for some time.

I have received a great deal of correspondence, calls and emails about this issue. Perhaps this is one of the issues that has generated more individual responses to an issue than any other in recent years.

I have supported the 2003 Private Member's Bill introduced by Bill Tynan in the House of Commons as a sensible way forward. As Private Member's Bills always fall on a Friday I cannot guarantee being available to vote, because the day is extremely valuable for constituency business. I have always prioritised my constituency work.

I took the view originally that further voluntary restrictions could put an end to the misery caused by the few people involved, but year on year the problems seem to get worse and worse.

I believe therefore, that the measures contained in the Bill will make an improvemnt for years to come.However, legislation in itself is never enough and tough enforcement will be needed to make a difference on the ground.

Updated May 2003

Millions of fireworks are sold and used safely each year for Bonfire Night on 5th November and other celebrations, but we all recognise that there are still serious concerns about their use. I have been in contact with Consumer Affairs Minister Melanie Johnson over this matter in the past , and in 2002 she unveiled tough new measures to cut the number of firework injuries including a ban on 'air bombs' - a cheap and accessible 'pocket money' firework that cause up to half of all firework accidents in the street -and are one of the main causes of excessive noise.

I have a fact sheet, which highlights the changes that have been made since 1997, and the current position regarding this serious matter.

The new measures should cut down on the problems of noise and nuisance from fireworks with proposed new regulations banning air bombs, a crackdown on illegal markets in fireworks as well as improved co-ordination of intelligence between Customs and Excise, Health and Safety Executive and Trading Standards Departments. A new drive to encourage local councils to use their powers to curb the problem of firework noise and nuisance is also underway.

However we have decided not to opt for an outright ban on the sale of fireworks to the public - we believe this option is unworkable; it would not only lead to a black market in fireworks but also might encourage people to make home-made fireworks. All fireworks sold in the UK have to comply with strict British safety standards, which also restrict their size and explosive content.

The majority of firework-related accidents and noise nuisances are caused by people - particularly young people - ignoring the fireworks safety code. To try to cut accidents among young people and reduce noise disturbance, 1997 regulations only allow for fireworks to be sold to those aged 18 and over.

We have also secured agreement from the firework industry that fireworks would only be sold in the three weeks before 5 November, for a few days afterwards and for a similar period over the New Year. However we recognise that this arrangement is not perfect, and that public demand for fireworks extends beyond traditional periods - for example, for celebrating weddings, birthdays or festivals, such as Diwali.

Personally I take the issues you have raised very seriously, and have tabled a number of Parliamentary Questions to ministers in previous years highlighting the problem.

There are precise rules regarding both the use of fireworks and the dates on which they can be sold to the public. Restrictions on dates of sale are, at the moment, not statutory, relying instead on a voluntary agreement between the Government and suppliers.

It is worrying to see under-16s playing with fireworks and causing a nuisance to residents and their family pets. However (as I mentioned above) it is illegal for such people to purchase fireworks and any suppliers/shopkeepers caught breaking the law will be liable to a œ5,000 fine and face a 6-month term of imprisonment. There is a similar penalty for those caught causing unnecessary suffering to any domestic animals.

Last updated March 2003