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Fireworks

I rise this evening to present a petition that was gathered by my constituent Mrs. Teresa Kulkarni. I had an Adjournment debate last night, as you know, Mr. Speaker, and I pointed out that Teresa Kulkarni raised a staggering 129,387 signatures on her petition, which was delivered to No. 10 Downing street last Wednesday. I do not have all the signatures here, but I have a portion of them. The petition says that the undersigned believe that freely available fireworks present danger and nuisance to people, property and animals. They believe that the suffering that they cause and the cost to emergency services and individuals are totally avoidable. Whilst they believe this, they do not wish to prevent the enjoyment of traditional festivals; therefore the petitioners request that the House of Commons brings in legislation so that 1. fireworks are restricted to licensed displays only at fixed times of the year 2. To include garden fireworks in the restricted category 3. To reduce the decibel limit to a maximum of 85 db for all fireworks 4. To make it illegal to use or possess fireworks without a valid licence.”” To lie upon the Table.