I HAVE been interested to read recently about the care and concern that the Government has shown to a wide variety of people and animals.

The on-going debate among MPS about the rights and wrongs of fox hunting or the rights of workers in public houses and bars not to breathe in smoke. Recently we were advised not to let our children play the age-old game of conkers without wearing safety goggles, and not to have window boxes or hanging baskets filled with flowers in case they fall on someone. There seems to be very few areas of everyday life about which the Government feels we are able to make informed and intelligent decisions.

Never mind that children have been playing with conkers for centuries without too many being maimed or killed; never mind that public buildings have been adorned for centuries with delightful hanging baskets and window boxes without too many falling on passers-by and injuring them, we now need advice about these everyday facets of life.

However, the one area that really needs some attention from the Government is ignored every year, despite advice from people who have to deal with the effects. I refer to fireworks.

Each year, for weeks leading up to November 5, we are subjected to the noise, the danger and the pollution of fireworks sold across the counter of almost any shop that wishes to sell them. Every year, children and adults are maimed, seriously injured and even killed by fireworks, and every year, someone from the emergency services or medical profession calls for them to be banned from sale to the general public. Does the Government take any notice of course not!

Is it not time for a ban on the sale of fireworks to the general public? Properly organised firework displays are enjoyed safely every year by thousands of people; but equally, every year fireworks sold over the counter of every corner shop and supermarket are responsible for countless injuries.

We do not need to be advised how to play with conkers we have all done that in relative safety for years. We do need to protect our children and ourselves against highly-explosive materials being sold to people who then use them to threaten, terrify and irritate children, adults and animals up and down the country.

Is it not time for some action does the Government consider us to be not responsible enough to play with conkers, but wholly responsible when it comes to playing with explosive material?

BARBARA WILKINSON