HC Deb 16 January 1979 vol 960 c1478
8. Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what extra expenditure he expects his Department to incur as a result of the sanctions imposed upon the Ford Motor Company Ltd.

Dr. Gilbert

None, Sir.

Mr. Ridley

I accept that this matter is now of academic interest only, thank goodness. But does the Minister agree that if he had had to pay only £ 1 extra to purchase alternative cars to Ford cars, the effect would have been to create further inflation?

Dr. Gilbert

I am obliged to the hon. Member. As he said, this is a highly hypothetical question. I do not believe in giving hypothetical answers.