FLAME-POWERED SKY LANTERNS

That this House is concerned that sky lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns, pose a serious fire safety hazard due to their uncontrolled and unpredictable flight paths, and are dangerous to livestock, crops and the environment; notes that fire and rescue services across the country oppose the mass release of sky lanterns due to their fire risk and that these hazards are exacerbated in rural areas in summer when most events are planned; further notes that the voluntary code on their use is not being respected by non-UK companies organising events in the UK; further notes that local councils, fire services and the police are faced with expensive court battles to prevent dangerous events taking place on private land; condemns the American Company Viive Events for organising LightsFest events involving the mass release of sky lanterns over open moorland in areas of the most severe fire risk; and calls on the Government to act swiftly to impose an outright ban on flame-powered sky lanterns.