Derek McDowell (Labour)

I had to face up to the question of whether, on liberal principles, I should say, these things happen, children will lose eyes, or a foot if something slips down their Wellington boots or whatever, and let people make money selling fireworks to them. We have decided to impose a significant penalty on people who have them with intent to supply. People who are in Moore Street, or wherever young Gonzaga boys went to get their supply of bangers in the 1960s and 1970s, face significant penalties.

The law was unenforceable because the penalties were 40 shillings or £10 which today would hardly cover the cost of the stamp on the summons going out to these people. The penalties are significantly increased, and it is in an arrestable offence to be in possession of fireworks with intent to supply them to others. Anybody who brings in a container load of fireworks in future will face a severe penalty.

We cannot simply leave the law unenforced or at 40 shillings which is absurd.