HC Deb 27 June 1939 vol 349 cc186-7
13. Mr. Day

asked the President of the Board of Trade the result of his latest inquiries into the question of the amount of subsidy paid by the German Government in respect of motor cars exported to this country?

Mr. Stanley

As I indicated in a reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Erdington (Wing-Commander Wright) on 19th May, 1938, it would appear that the export of motor cars to the United Kingdom is not subsidised by the German Government but out of a pool contributed to by German industries. The fact that only 29 motor cars were imported from Germany during the first five months of this year seem to indicate that such assistance as is given by the German industry to this trade is not at present considerable. No complaints have been received recently of German competition in the motor car trade.

Mr. Day

Does it appear that these cars are being sold in England at an even lower price than in Germany?

Mr. Stanley

As only 29 of them have been sold in five months, it does not appear that the problem is of great magnitude.