§ 6. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many British cars have been privately imported during the last 12 months.
§ 25. Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Trade what proportion of privately imported vehicles is manufactured overseas.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Trade (Mr. Reginald Eyre)Separate statistics of new cars imported personally, whether of United Kingdom or foreign manufacture, are not available.
§ Mr. WainwrightI do not know whether I dare thank the Minister for that reply. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in addition to the import of cars for personal use, there is a strong rumour that British companies will be allowed to buy their car fleets abroad? If that is so, does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it will greatly harm the motor industry in Britain? What will he do about it?
§ Mr. StokesIn general, would it not benefit British customers and, in the long run, producers, if cars had to be made as cheaply in Britain as they are on the Continent?
§ Mr. EyreMy hon. Friend has emphasised a tremendously important point. It would not be in the long-term interests of anyone in Britain if our motor car industry did not strive to become efficient and competitive in full world market terms at the earliest possible moment.
§ Mr. John FraserIf the Government believe that the retail margins on sales of new cars are too high, might it not be better to refer that to the Director General of Fair Trading under the Competition Act than to make it easier for foreign-based people such as civil servants, defence personnel and—according to The Times—even Ministers to bring in cheaper foreign cars?
§ Mr. EyreThe hon. Gentleman has begun from the wrong point. Pricing decisions are for the commercial judgments of manufacturers and dealers, acting within the requirements of the competition rules of the United Kingdom and the EEC.