Nick Thomas-Symonds
Main Page: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)Fireworks
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David Mackintosh (Northampton South) (Con)
I beg to move,
That this House has considered e-petition 109702 relating to restricting the use of fireworks.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. I am pleased to introduce this important debate on fireworks and animal welfare based on the petition that was signed by more than 100,000 people. I thank my hon. Friend the Minister for attending and look forward to hearing his views on and valued input into what I am sure will be an important debate.
I am sure that all hon. Members receive regular letters from pet and animal owners or elderly people who are worried about the increase in the use of fireworks throughout the year. Although everyone enjoys them for big celebrations, it is important that from time to time we debate the restrictions on them. This debate will not lead to a change in the law, but will give the Government the chance to outline to hon. Members the current regulations and to listen to concerns for when they do consider any changes in the future.
For many of us, fireworks are a source of great enjoyment and are used to celebrate many great occasions throughout the year. However, for animals, fireworks can be a source of fear and distress. In particular, the sudden loud noises that many fireworks make can cause fear.
Nick Thomas-Symonds (Torfaen) (Lab)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. I am delighted that we are having this very important debate. A number of constituents have contacted me about the distress that animals experience. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that this is about balance—the balance between enjoyment of fireworks on the one hand and protecting animals from distress on the other?
David Mackintosh
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising those concerns. It is estimated by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for example, that 45% of dogs show signs of fear when they hear fireworks. The animals affected not only suffer psychological distress, but can cause themselves injuries—sometimes very serious ones—as they attempt to run or hide from the noise.