PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
FIREWORKS SAFETY (23 February 1999)

That this House congratulates the Government on the significant reduction in accidents caused by fireworks following its introduction of the 1997 Fireworks Regulations; notes the demise of the Fireworks Bill 1998 which would have resulted in a further decrease in these statistics; notes the increased harassment being caused by the sale of larger and noisier fireworks to the general public; recognises the proximity of the 1999 Guy Fawkes night to the Millennium celebrations which is likely to result in a prolonged sale of fireworks; is alarmed by the potential for the misuse of fireworks by people who have consumed considerable amounts of alcohol on 31st December 1999; notes the reports of increased importation of fireworks currently; recognises the need for training in fireworks safety to meet the increased demand for public displays in 1999; and calls on the Government to reach an all-party agreement to introduce legislation urgently which would require all those mounting public displays to provide evidence of training in fireworks safety and related issues and restrict the sale of the larger and noisier fireworks to the general public.

Sponsored by:
Dr Brian Iddon (Labour)