5. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's powers in relation to the regulation of fireworks? OAQ(5)0237(FM)

Fireworks are regulated by a range of legislation, including health and safety, consumer protection, product safety and explosives regulations, which are generally not devolved. It is questionable as to whether we have the ability to change the legislation at this moment in time and, again, the situation is not made clearer with the Wales Bill. For me, firework control is best dealt with on at least a GB basis, given the fact that people can move fireworks around across the island. But I take the point, and I know she’s been raising this point locally about the dangers that fireworks can pose.

Thank you, First Minister. Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen dangerous fireworks incidents across Wales, including in my own constituency of Newport West, where the fire service, the ambulance service and police were attacked by individuals using them as missiles. The fireworks used in these cowardly attacks on people trying to do their jobs serving our communities were large-scale commercial fireworks, which are significantly more powerful and dangerous. Will the First Minister join with me in condemning the attacks on public service workers? Will you also look at what powers the Welsh Government has in relation to safeguarding the public, particularly with regard to regulation, from these large-scale commercial fireworks, which, if used irresponsibly, can cause severe injury?

I see no reason why members of the public should be able to buy commercial fireworks—they’re profoundly dangerous in the wrong hands. People are not used to fireworks of a certain power, in terms of how far back they’ve got to stand. They can’t just light them with a taper—they have to be lit with an electronic charge. So, I think there are still questions as to how well regulated fireworks are. It is an offence to let off fireworks at certain times of day. It is an offence to buy fireworks under the age of 18. But, if anybody is attacked with a firework, that is already an offence and they should be prosecuted for it.

I’m sure our whole Assembly will unite in condemning the mindless stupidity of those involved in attacking the emergency services with fireworks in Newport. The British Fireworks Association has warned that any further restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks would lead to a sharp rise in unregulated and untraceable sales. Fire chiefs have already warned that more restrictions would lead to an increase in illegal imports. Does the First Minister agree that any proposals to restrict the sale of fireworks should only be actioned following the widest consultation with the industry and other stakeholders in Wales?

I do believe that, if you’re under 18, you shouldn’t be able to buy fireworks. I think, if I remember rightly, fireworks are categorised. Category 4 fireworks can only be used by professionals. I think there needs to be an investigation into whether some fireworks sit in the right categories. So, rather than look at implementing a more widespread ban on the use of all fireworks, I think there is a case for looking at the power of some fireworks as to whether they should, in fact, be available to members of the public or are best left in the hands of professionals.