HC Deb 08 February 1967 vol 740 c1629
11. Mr. Luard

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he has given to the proposed United States safety regulations for motor cars with regard to a possible violation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Darling

Initial vehicle safety standards were announced by the United States Department of Commerce on 31st January and are now being studied by United Kingdom manufacturers and the Government. The provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade will certainly be borne in mind.

Mr. Luard

While many people will feel some satisfaction that these regulations are now being amended, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he agrees that it is likely to be much more difficult for the manufacturers of small motor cars to meet some of these regulations than it is for the manufacturers of larger cars in the United States? This inevitably affects freedom of trade in motor cars. Will the Government undertake to make every representation to see that no discrimination of this kind is allowed?

Mr. Darling

That is one of the factors that, obviously we must take into consideration. I repeat, however, that we have only just received the full text of the standards and we must have a week or two to study the details. I understand that we have to make a reply by the end of this month.