HC Deb 23 July 1964 vol 699 cc659-60
2. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will seek power to establish a private circuit where cars can be tested at speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour, in view of the importance to exports of good performances in competitions abroad.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. David Price)

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not think that there is a case for expenditure of public funds on facilities additional to those already available for testing cars designed for production.

Mr. Digby

Is it not important for the prestige of British cars, which are a very important export today, that some facilities should be provided so that the M.1 does not have to be used on future occasions? Cannot he say that some financial help could be given to the trade associations for this matter?

Mr. Price

I should like to reassure my hon. Friend first of all about the M.1. As he knows, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has received assurances from the S.M.M.T. that the M.1 will not in future be used for speed tests. With regard to my original Answer, I ought to tell my hon. Friend that this conclusion has been reached after informal talks with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Motor Industry Research Association.