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Fireworks Safety

The hon. Gentleman has made a good point with which many Members will agree, but, although I share his concern, I do not think that that is a reason not to impose a ban. I believe that the vast majority of people who hold family or private firework parties are law-abiding citizens who would not want to organise an illegal fireworks display. I also believe that a ban would make policing much easier. If a police officer heard a firework being let off, finding the person who was committing that illegal act would be fairly straightforward. There are some stunning statistics. I read a very good article in this week's Sunday Telegraph by Melanie Wright, who wrote:""According to insurer esure, about 2.8 million people are planning to hold a bonfire party at home this year."" I must tell the hon. Member for Solihull (Lorely Burt) that I do not know how many of those people will also be attending organised displays, or how many people who do not hold bonfire parties at home will attend them, but that would certainly be an interesting statistic. According to the article,""research from Churchill Home Insurance reveals almost two million British homes have been damaged as a result of fireworks going astray, with each incident costing an average of £307 to put right."" It also gave another stunning statistic:""Aviva claims data reveals that Bonfire Night is the worst day of the year for burglaries – they rise by over a quarter – as well as the worst day of the year for car theft – an increase of 25 per cent. compared to an average day."" Members will be asking themselves why that is the case. One reason is that the police are having to spend so much time dealing with all the antisocial behaviour caused by the inappropriate use of fireworks on or around bonfire night that burglars and car thieves are taking the opportunity to go about their business.