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Second
reading for fireworks bill
A
BILL proposing a crackdown on the sales of fireworks and which
has Government support receives its crucial Second Reading today
(February 28th).
Fireworks would only be allowed to be sold for three weeks up
to 5 November. Sales would also be restricted to packs costing
at least £10, under MP Bill Tynan's proposal. His private
members bill aims to reverse the trend towards year-round firework
displays and the misuse that cause misery to residents, pets and
wild animals.
The Bill has massive support from the general public and has strong
cross-party support, as MPs realise that the public are calling
for tough restrictions on the use of fireworks.
Stricter licensing governing the retail sale of fireworks will
be imposed, with a legal requirement for retailers to keep records
of people purchasing fireworks for private events, such as weddings
and anniversaries.
Fireworks required for the celebration of cultural festivals such
as Diwali and Chinese New Year will be covered by the provisions
of the Bill, although the emphasis on large-scale celebrations
will be towards organised displays.
Mr Tynan, Labour MP for Hamilton South, has been working on the
bill with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA)
Fireworks Task Group and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
"The misery caused to the general public and domestic and
wild animals by the misuse of fireworks is a growing problem all
over the UK," he said. "Lack of licensing of retail
outlets, periods of sale and noise levels, together with problems
with importation, distribution and storage, all contribute to
the nuisance use of fireworks. This will promote the responsible
use of fireworks by limiting the hours of the day, confining general
sale to the public to a relatively short period before 5 November."
The Government have been taken aback by the depth of public feeling
against the misuse of fireworks and the demands for stricter controls
on their sale and use, and has thrown its weight behind Mr Tynan’s
Bill, which strengthens its chance of success.
Nuisance
Consumer Affairs Minister Melanie Johnson spoke in favour of Mr
Tynan’s Bill, saying: "It aims to put an end to neighbourhood
nuisance and anti-social behaviour that is so often seen around
bonfire night and beyond, and I welcome it wholeheartedly,"
she said. "I know the misery that fireworks can cause. There
is too much noise, with fireworks being let off late into the
night and lasting for far too long beyond the traditional fireworks
season."
On the package of measures being put forward, Mr Tynan commented:
"We need to deal with fireworks in an effective and comprehensive
way. This means controlling and monitoring them from when they
are unloaded at Felixstowe or Bootle, to how they are then stored
and sold and then limiting the consequences of their use through
maximum decibel levels and restrictions on who they can be sold
to."
In addition to those areas covered in the draft Bill discussions
and consultations are continuing about how best to tackle the
issue of noise levels and it is expected that, once these are
complete an addition to the Bill will be made to tackle this important
area. |
