§ 38. Mr. Albuasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider the hire-purchase conditions for 1359 motor-assisted pedal cycles with engines of less than 100 cubic centimetres capacity and treat them at least as favourably as pedal cycles fitted with auxiliary units for propulsion.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)The same hire-purchase conditions apply to both motor-assisted pedal cycles and pedal cycles fitted with auxiliary units for propulsion.
§ Mr. AlbuIs the hon. and learned Member quite certain that that is correct? I understand that a cycle can be purchased with a 20 per cent. down payment; an auxiliary unit requires a 50 per cent. down payment, while a motor-assisted bicycle also requires a 50 per cent. down payment. There is, therefore, a considerable difference, although there is no difference in principle between these two types of locomotion, which are of very great assistance to ordinary people going to work.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes, if the auxiliary unit is purchased with the bicycle or even separately with the purpose of going with it, it attracts the higher minimum deposit.