Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill
Overview
This Bill would seek to restrict the supply and use of certain kinds of fireworks and pyrotechnic articles. An example of a pyrotechnic article would be a distress flare.
The Bill impacts businesses and individuals. It creates a new licensing system which means that:
- members of the public will need a licence to buy, possess or use certain fireworks,
- businesses supplying fireworks will need to confirm that the people getting the fireworks either have a licence or don’t need one.
It will be a criminal offence to buy, possess or use fireworks without licence, or to supply fireworks to a person without a licence. It will also be an offence to give fireworks or pyrotechnic articles to a child, or buy them on behalf of a child.
The Bill specifies that certain fireworks can only be supplied to, and used by, members of the public at certain times, including:
- Vaisakhi
- Guy Fawkes Day
- Hogmanay
- Chinese New Year
- Diwali
There are exemptions for organised public firework displays and professionally organised displays.
In addition, the Bill grants local authorities the powers to set-up ‘firework control zones’. Councils will be able to restrict the use of fireworks in these zones, although professionally organised or public displays may still be allowed.
The possession of pyrotechnic articles when travelling to or at certain places and events will become an offence under the Bill. This could include certain sports events, sports grounds or music events.
The new rules created by the Bill will be enforced by trading standards or Police Scotland.
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill as introduced
The Bill was passed on 29 June 2022 and became an Act on 10 August 2022
Contents
Stage 3 - Final changes and vote
MSPs can propose further “amendments” (changes) to the Bill. MSPs decide on each of these. Finally, they debate and vote on whether to pass the Bill.
The Bill ended Stage 3 on 29 June 2022
Debate on the proposed amendments
MSPs can propose further “amendments” (changes) to the Bill. Amendments are “selected” (chosen for debate) by the Presiding Officer. MSPs then debate and decide on the amendments.
Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held on 23 June 2022.
Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 3
Timed Groupings of Amendments for Stage 3 (306KB, pdf) posted 21 June 2022
Final debate on the Bill
Once MSPs have debated and decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.
Meeting on 29 June 2022
Minutes of proceedings (189KB, pdf) posted 29 June 2022
Final vote on the Bill
After the debate, MSPs vote on whether to pass the Bill.
Meeting on 29 June 2022
Final version of the Bill
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill as passed (2MB, pdf) posted 29 June 2022
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill
- Submitted by: Ash Regan, Edinburgh Eastern, Scottish National Party.
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 June 2022
- Motion reference: S6M-05154
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, 29 June 2022
Result 84 for, 0 against, 25 abstained, 20 did not vote Vote Passed