Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to commission research on the flammable items with potential to cause significant damage in the countryside, including sky lanterns, disposable barbeques and portable stoves; if he will extent that research to include the potential damage and danger to the environment of discarded helium balloons; and if he will make a statement.
We are commissioning research to examine the impact on the environment of barbecues and other flammable items, including sky lanterns and portable stoves, in order to support potential regulation. We expect this research to be completed in due course, when we will be in a position to consider further action.