MP's Questions

Barry Sheerman reiterated that the safest place for fireworks is in community displays rather than people's backyards. In addition to being safer, it also cuts down on the pollution emanate from such displays.

Ian Lucas (Wrexham, Labour)

My hon. Friend makes a sensible and helpful point, and I will certainly take it back to the Department.

We have tried to make the information on the website as accessible as possible, and it includes games for children to play so that they can benefit from information on this serious issue in an accessible and fun way.

 

Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield, Labour)

I wonder if my hon. Friend agrees with me on this matter, although he might think my position strange given that I represent Huddersfield, which is home to Standard Fireworks-the largest fireworks company in the land, although unfortunately it now manufactures fewer of them and mainly imports from China. I have been campaigning on this matter for many years. The safest place for fireworks is around a proper community fire with community fireworks, not in people's backyards. I know that I have made myself unpopular on this subject, but that would be the best option-and a much less polluting one, given the amount of pollution given off by the hundreds of thousands of bonfires up and down the country.

Ian Lucas (Wrexham, Labour)

I have heard my hon. Friend's views, and I know that a number of hon. Members hold similar ones. The Government have considered this issue over many years, but we have taken the view that it is part of our culture and can be dealt with as we are dealing with it-through a balanced approach and allowing, with limitations, the use of fireworks in a private environment.