Call for new fireworks law

Labour MP Rob Marris has set out the case for a new fireworks bill aimed at reducing the impact on noise levels of the products.

Introducing a 10-minute rule motion in the Commons on Wednesday, Marris said the 2003 Fireworks Act had "benefited millions of people and pets in the UK".

However, he said that 60 per cent of people thought the legislation - which includes a ban on under-18s buying fireworks and a curfew for their use - was "not effective".

"I'm not against fireworks, I'm not against fireworks being used in domestic situations," he told MPs.

"What I am against is anti-social use of fireworks, and that is generally connected with the noise of fireworks."

The legal limit is currently 120 decibels - equivalent to being 100 metres from a passenger jet - but Marris said this should be reduced to 95 decibels "in the interests of improving the lives of us all - both humans and pets".

The Wolverhampton South West MP also called for better labelling of fireworks, saying: "I want informed choices by consumers.

"I think we should lower the levels allowed for fireworks use in the UK to 120 decibels to 95 decibels and we should make sure that fireworks supplied for use in the UK have a clear label on them specifying what the decibel level emitted by such fireworks is."