HC Deb 16 April 1969 vol 781 cc1123-4
1. Mr. Speed

asked the Minister of Technology what estimate he has made of the effect of the fiscal measures and hire-purchase restrictions introduced during the past 13 months upon the motor cycle industry.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Technology (Mr. Gerry Fowler)

As about four-fifths of home sales are of imported machines and about two-thirds of British motorcycles are exported the effect on the motor cycle industry of these measures is estimated to have been relatively slight.

Mr. Speed

Is the Minister aware that that observation is not shared by the British motor cycle industry, which estimates that its home sales have been reduced by 50 per cent. as a result of the measures? In view of the very high export of British production, does he agree that a reasonable home market is essential to maintain this export production?

Mr. Fowler

I cannot accept the estimate of a 50 per cent. drop in home sales. That is very much higher than the figures available to us would indicate, which are very much in line with the estimates we gave the hon. Gentleman in December. It has always been the case that a very large proportion of the industry's production is exported.