The controls that could have been in place have been ignored and neglected by the Government that claims that they know the problem, support the solution and then sit back on their hands and do nothing about it. It also became clear at the Fireworks Conference that there was no UK Register for firework deliveries. Hundreds of tons of fireworks are delivered to premises by 140 Companies and Local Authorities and the Fire Service rarely get to know of the premises where fireworks are delivered.

In a shocking example a Trading Standards Officer from Essex said that 4 tons of fireworks had been delivered to a private house in Essex last year. The retort from the company, which made the delivery, was that they would have delivered 20 tons had the person wanted it.

Trading Standards officers present said that although large amounts of fireworks could be stored legally for up to 14 days Local Authorities did not have the staff to go and check these things. They and representatives from the Fire Brigade supported us in calling for an UK National Register. "There was no regulations in place worth the paper they were written on." they said. Meanwhile the Government has had no liaison with local Authorities on safety arrangements for the Millennium. The Minister for Consumer Affairs, Kim Howells unlike all his predecessors whom we have met for 30 years, continues to refuse all meetings with both the Firework Industry and us.

NCFS 30 YEARS OLD
Meanwhile the Campaign, 30 years old this year continues to get a huge mailbag and thousands of calls from the general public who have just had enough. Enough of the street hooliganism with fireworks that runs from September to November and in future straight through till January 1. Enough of the noise nuisance and injuries from fireworks particularly to children but most complaints now come from pet owners whose pets suffer terribly because of fireworks each year.

GOVERNMENT FIREWORKS BILL LOST ON A FILIBUSTER
A Bill which would have dealt with all the problems we are facing today and total neglect over many decades was carefully put together by the Campaign working with the industry and Labour in Opposition following a Review of the firework laws by the previous Government following the deaths of 4 people in 1993 and 1996.

After 2 debates in the House of Commons in 1995 and 1996, organised by Labour MPs Richard Burden and Shadow Minister Nigel Griffiths it was agreed what had to be done. The abolition of the import license of fireworks coming into British Ports from the Far East would be dealt with. A National training scheme for firework display operators would be put in place and given Government recognition. A licensing scheme would be set up for people putting on firework displays or attempting to purchase dangerous display fireworks in category 4. The smallest details would not be overlooked including the time shop fireworks in categories 1 & 2 went on sale. The big mistake the Labour Government made in 1997, was not giving the Bill they supported parliamentary time. Instead it was handed to a Backbencher to put through. It went through all its parliamentary stages much to the surprise of the DTI officials who have said since they thought it would fall after its first Reading.

On the last Reading of the Bill a year ago it fell because of a filibuster an arcane parliamentary procedure. Some maverick Tory MPs talked out the Bill for 5 hours that morning, but they would not vote against it in 2 Divisions because the Bill had Front Bench Tory support.

NATIONAL TRAINING SCHEME REJECTED BY THE DTI
Since the Bill was lost we asked the DTI to recognise the National Training Scheme set up by the firework industry which is already being used up and down the country successfully. The DTI said they could not pick one scheme or another.

PMs STATEMENT
Having lost the Bill we asked Tony Blair for a policy statement. Mr Blair said he supported the Bill because we did not have those measures in force and we needed them. He seemed to be saying, "we are going to do something but we're not". Mr Blair said that the Government would support another backbench effort, so we could go through the nonsense all over again. So much for reforms. What we are left with is nothing of much consequence. the 1875 Explosives Act, and a small section of the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

When the Government first took Office, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Nigel Griffiths, who has since been sacked, brought in measures under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, to mollify the campaign and the millions of people who have to put up with the torture of firework noise and injuries to their Families and Pets each year. These included raising the age of purchase of fireworks from 16 to 18. Abolishing the Banger which has caused the highest number of injuries to children for the past 60 years, and getting rid of other fireworks which were banned in 1976 by the firework industry in a voluntary agreement and brought back again. We know that Bangers, Flyabout firework and Mini-Rockets, have gone, but they are still available because the suppliers have decided otherwise.

CATEGORY 4 FIREWORKS
The big deal was that the fireworks in category 4, which caused the deaths of 2 men in 1996, were supposed to be banned. Unfortunately they have not been banned. Loopholes were left in to ensure that anybody who insists they previously sold them as Traders or used them as firework display operators can sell them to anybody else they decide is a fit person to have them. Very democratic but not good enough in an era of safety and advanced consumerism.

If Mortars and Shells and large Rockets are banned to Joe Public then they should be licensed to the people who insist that they need them as pyrotechnists and display operators. Why are the lives of thousands of people constantly put at risk because the Government will not act to license displays and sales of the most dangerous fireworks? Why do the Government not put back the import license taken away by the previous Government in a rash and foolish decision of de-regulation in the late 1980s which has caused 2 deaths and many serious injuries.

Category 4 fireworks enter the country in an unfinished state and are completed here. They are inspected only by the importer due to a shortage of inspectors at Ports. The official firework industry wants to continue without licensing or any other restriction on sales or imports.

FIREWORK INJURIES
On the heels of the Millennium Britain continues to have the worst injuries of any country on fireworks when compared with the rest of Europe, North, America, Australia and Japan. Our laws are still based on the 1875 Explosives Act which the Health & Safety Executive have been trying to get rid of for some years but cannot because the lack of Government initiative on the subject.

In the last 6 years there have been 6000 hospital treated victims for firework injuries and 4 deaths. Many more not counted were treated by Parents, GPs Chemists and First Aiders. The Government's response each year is to play down the injuries by showing only 6 years of injuries rather than producing A complete survey of injuries for the past 25 years. Attitude to fireworks and the injuries and trauma they have caused and the refusal by successive Governments to take legislative action to re-introduce licensing of all imports, and sales of display fireworks and firework displays is nothing short of a National Disgrace. Meanwhile according to DTI calculations it can cost the NHS up £6000 to treat each firework injury. For a breakdown of last year's injuries see end of Report.

CELEBRATION DAYS WITH FIREWORK
There are many days in the British Calendar when we can celebrate with fireworks other than November 5. Already we use fireworks at most Festivals throughout the year. All countries celebrate their National days with fireworks. We also have such days. In England St George's day and Shakespeare's Birthday fall on the same day. Surveys over the past 5 years have shown that November 5 and in particular the celebration of the torture and death of a man nearly 400 years ago is the least favoured way of using fireworks. There is no tradition for celebrating New Year's Eve with fireworks, and after the Millennium celebrations we will oppose any personal possession of fireworks in future New Years. Perhaps it is time that we asked our Firework Industry to face the 21st Century and speed up the changes in the way fireworks are used that has been taking place since the 1980s notably at properly organised displays. Lets start now for the twenty first century.

Noel Tobin(Director)
National Campaign for Firework Safety
Report 1999

Note for Editors:

• Noel Tobin has been working for firework safety and firework reforms for 30 years, and is one of the longest serving campaigners in the UK. He has chaired Government Bodies in the 1970s and 1980s including one for Inner City Redevelopment and Housing in London. He is married to Geraldine and has 2 grown up daughters Natasha and Fiona, and 2 Cats. His other full time job is as a Theatre Producer.

  FIREWORK INJURIES TREATED IN HOSPITALS IN 1999
  1056	Mostly children and teenagers were treated in hospitals for firework injuries last year, 21% higher than the previous year. About 70% of the victims required further and extensive medical treatment.
  447	Accidents took place at back garden parties the biggest increase for 5 years.
  153	Accidents at large public displays.
  72	Accidents at small public displays.
  296	Accidents in the street.
  Figures from the DTI Thousands more injuries occur each year but are treated at home by Parents, GPs, and first-aides. They are not counted because they do not go to hospitals.