Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the impact of fireworks on (a) animals and (b) vulnerable people; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (i) prohibiting the sale of fireworks except between 29 October and 5 November, (iii) restricting the days when they can be used, (iv) introducing fireworks control zones, (v) legislating to make all fireworks silent and (vi) reducing the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks for public sale from 120dB to 90dB.

The Government endorses the considerate use of fireworks and action taken to reduce the risks and disturbances to individuals, animals and property. The majority of individuals who use fireworks do so in a responsible and safe manner and there are enforcement mechanisms in place to tackle situations when fireworks are misused.

The Department has no plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) prohibiting the sale of fireworks except between the 29th October and 5th November and restricting the days when they can be used, (b) introducing fireworks control zones, (c) legislating to make all fireworks silent and (d) reducing the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks for public sale from 120dB to 90dB but the Government continues to monitor the situation and engage with stakeholders to listen to and understand their views.