CRACKER FIRING INCIDENTS (Police precautionary measures)

Mr John Ede asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the number and nature of the incidents caused by the indiscriminate firing of crackers during the Chinese New Year period, and whether he is satisfied that adequate precautions have been taken by the police in this matter.

Mr W. A. C. Goode: Sir, incidents caused by cracker firing as reported by the departments concerned are as follows. The police received reports of only nine incidents. Three were of public brawls over cracker firing, two of burns to children, three of crackers causing damage inside buildings and one of nuisance to women in the streets. Thirty-six cases of injury from crackers were treated as out-patients at the hospital. There were two ambulance calls but one of these was probably not due to cracker injury. There were eight fire calls. In four of these, serious fires could have developed, and in the other four there was no risk. I am satisfied, Sir, that the police took such precautions as were possible to deal promptly with incidents involving danger to person or property.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the widespread public concern in this matter, will the Chief Secretary give an assurance that Government will take very careful steps to see that hooliganism does not take place during the traditional firing of crackers in future?

Mr W. A. C. Goode: Sir, we shall certainly do all that we can to prevent the traditional firing of crackers on this festival being used as an occasion for violence and disorder by hooligans, but I am sure the hon. Member will agree with me when I say that the question of limiting nuisance over this festival must depend very largely on a sense of responsibility by members of the public, particularly parents, and on the cooperation of the public in seeing that the proprieties are observed.