This afternoon, I led a debate on behalf of the Petitions Committee to consider e-petition 319891, relating to the sale and use of fireworks.
The e-petition, entitled "Limit the Sale and Use of Fireworks to Organisers of Licensed Displays Only" closed with 301,610 signatures, including 306 from my own constituency of Carshalton and Wallington.
I was also delighted that my own firework survey, posted to my website, received over 1.2 million hits, has been shared 12,000 times, and has attracted 75,000 responses. Upon asking those 75,000 respondents for their thoughts, 88% agreed that fireworks should be banned other than on set days of the year; 78% said they did not look forward to bonfire night; 89% supported a complete ban on fireworks other than for organised events; and 83% said their pet was scared of fireworks.
I am grateful to the petition's creator, Julie, for taking the time to speak with me before today's debate and for the many animal and people charities who have supported this petition and shared their concerns. The fact that every year more than 100,000 people sign a petition asking for very similar things demonstrates the widespread public support on the topic of fireworks.
You can watch my contribution to the debate above, or watch the full debate, including the Minister's response, on Parliamentlive.tv here.
