§ 12. Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what conditions are attached to the block exemption of the motor industry from the competition rules of the treaty of Rome.
§ Mr. TebbitThose designed to help give consumers the benefit of a genuine common market in motor vehicles.
§ Mr. ForsythI welcome my right hon. Friend's answer, but is he satisfied that the distribution system under the new regulation can possibly be in the interests of the consumer?
§ Mr. TebbitThere is little doubt that the new regulation, when it comes into force, will help the consumer. It is a difficult matter to get a common market in motor vehicles that is properly effective in Europe, not least as the German decision on vehicle emissions has tended to lead to even greater fragmentation of the market.
§ Mr. SackvilleIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the present arrangements allow for the necessary price reactions by manufacturers to future changes in taxation and currency among EEC member countries?
§ Mr. TebbitYes, there are protections for the manufacturers, and that is why comparisons with prices in markets that are distorted by excessive taxation or price controls are excluded. It is interesting, in the light of the noises being made a few moments ago about the need to protect British industry rather than the consumer, that there is so little comment from Labour Benches now. They want it both ways.
§ Mr. ParkDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that one of the problems is that while we may have a Common Market, there are not common conditions throughout the market?
§ Mr. TebbitYes, that is absolutely correct and that is why some parts of the market will not be used for comparative purposes, as it would be unfair to do so. I wish that we could persuade somebody from the Labour Benches to get up and say a good word for the rights of the consumer to buy his motor car at the most advantageous price in the European market.