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 potential merits of establishing a timescale for the information gathering exercise on the public sale of fireworks.

The work to develop a full evidence base is an ongoing exercise which is not time limited. To develop the evidence base officials have reviewed existing literature, research and data sources and are engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including the RSPCA and the British Fireworks Association.

As work has progressed, information gaps have become clear, requiring further investigation and consideration. The evidence base will also consider the findings of the House of Commons Petitions Committee inquiry on fireworks and the Scottish Government consultation on fireworks. The intention is that the work will inform current and future policy in this area and identify trends across fireworks seasons.