Young: Fireworks consultations in 2019

NATIONAL SECURITY Minister Stuart Young today disclosed he will hold consultations in 2019 about fireworks. Young made this disclosure after indicating that plans to ban the importation and sale of scratch bombs in TT remain very much on the cards. Young told Newsday, "I intend to have consultations with stakeholders on the wider aspect of fireworks in the new year." He did not elaborate on the format on these consultations or what their ultimate objective would be.

On Cabinet's decision on November 22 to ban the importation and sale of scratch bombs, Young said, "As Minister of National Security, I have written to the Attorney General indicating the particulars of what I intend to ban (inter alia, importation and sale of) and requested that the appropriate order be drafted. He added, "The AG assured me that it would be a priority."

Young also said, "There is no need to amend any legislation. The Minister of National Security has the power via order, to ban importation and sale." He explained this is outlined in Section 37 of the Explosives Act. Section 37 states, " The minister may by order, prohibit absolutely, or subject to conditions or restrictions, the manufacture, keeping, importation, conveyance and sale of any explosive which is of so dangerous a character, in that judgement, it is expedient for the public safety to make the order."

Section 38 of the Act adds, " If any explosive is manufactured in contravention of any such order, all or any part or ingredient of the explosive which may be found either in or about any place, or in the possession or under the control of any person convicted under this section, may be forfeited, together with machinery, implements and utensils used in the manufacture; and the person so manufacturing is liable on indictment to a fine of $20,000 or to imprisonment for ten years."