§ 4. Mr. Heathcoat-Amoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether all vehicles owned or operated by his Department are British-made; and what proportion of vehicles owned by his Department's staff and purchased with his Department's financial assistance are British made.
§ Mr. EggarThe diplomatic wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office owns and operates a total of 1,061 vehicles at home and abroad. Eighty-seven per cent. of these are British made. Of the 338 Diplomatic Service officers who received financial assistance towards car purchase during the last financial year, 74 per cent. bought British cars.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryDoes my hon. Friend agree that those who represent us overseas should promote British products and drive British cars when they are bought with public money? What steps will my hon. Friend take to increase those percentages of British-made goods?
§ Mr. EggarAs I hope I have already made clear, representational officers are expected to run British cars, wherever possible. In some areas that is not possible, because of lack of servicing capability, and so on. I should point out that if all British companies and individuals 137 owned and ran the same percentage of British cars as are run by Diplomatic Service officers, the British motor industry would not be in its present difficulties.