Banning Fireworks

Written by Vincent Cable MP and published in Informer on Fri 1st Nov 2002

Last week there was strong pressure in parliament for tighter control over fireworks. Some MP's were even demanding a complete ban on sales to the general public.

I argued that we have to strike a balance. Fireworks are fun for some and a nuisance for others. Bonfire night is a festivity most children anticipate and enjoy. I did.

And fireworks can be a great spectacle as in the local open-air concerts at Marble Hill and Kneller Hall and on Millennium night.

But for elderly people, pets and their owners, and families with toddlers trying to sleep it can be a misery to have loud bangs every evening up to and after November 5.

Some people also take offence at a festival which historically was a celebration of the triumph of Protestants over Catholics.

In some ways the problems are getting worse. Injuries to teenagers have risen rapidly because of firework throwing. And although 'bangers' are illegal since 1997 powerful explosives - mainly imported from China - are being sold legally as fireworks: five foot rockets for example.

The government's response is to introduce on-the-spot fines for firework throwing and to add firebombs to the banned list. The problem is that regulations are hopeless unless they can be enforced. There are not enough police to impose the fines and not enough trading standards officers to police illegal sales to children or unauthorised fireworks.

Another proposal being considered is to allow sales only for a few weeks before November 5th. But there are practical problems. What about Diwali and the Chinese New Year? What about parents who want to organise a birthday party with a few harmless fireworks? This is not a problem with simple solutions.