HL Deb 27 June 1990 vol 520 cc1618-9

2.59 p.m.

Read a third time; an amendment (privilege) made.

Lord Ezra

My Lords, I beg to move that the Bill do now pass. I should like to remind your Lordships that the Bill attempts to draw together and deal with certain of the difficulties suffered over many years by the car buying public, in particular with clocking of odometers and the sale of unroadworthy cars, including the faulty rebuild of insurance write-offs.

These matters have been dealt with during the various stages of the Bill and useful amendments have been introduced to take account of the various constructive points put forward. In that connection I should like to express my gratitude to the noble Baroness, Lady Fisher of Rednal, the noble Earl, Lord Attlee, and the noble Lord, Lord Mason of Barnsley, for their speeches in support of this measure. I should like also to thank the noble Lord, Lord Lucas of Chilworth, who shared with your Lordships' House his welcome experience of the motor trade.

The noble Viscount, Lord Ullswater, in putting forward the Government's view, was unfortunately unable to agree with the remedies proposed. Nevertheless, he recognised the problems faced by buyers of used cars. I am grateful for that and especially for the courteous and able way in which he handled matters during the various stages of the Bill.

In conclusion, I should also like to express my thanks to the Automobile Association and to the Institute of Trading Standards Administration, of which I have the honour to be president, which have provided assistance with the drafting of the Bill and the various amendments. The Bill contains a small number of sound practical measures which would greatly enhance the protection available to buyers of used cars in this country. I therefore wish it well during its passage through another place.

Moved, That the Bill do now pass.—(Lord Ezra.)

Viscount Ullswater

My Lords, I do not wish to take up the time of the House this afternoon, but in view of the remarks made by the noble Lord, Lord Ezra, I think that I should make the Government's position perfectly clear on this matter. Those noble Lords who have followed the progress of this Bill will be aware that I have at each stage expressed doubts and reservations about its provisions. I must acknowledge that the noble Lord has taken account of many of the points I have made and has been prepared to modify his Bill in many respects. Nevertheless the Bill remains unacceptable to the Government because the points of principle, to which I have referred on previous occasions, have not changed. It is in those aspects, rather than in the detail of the Bill, where the difficulties arise.

I must congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Ezra, on his tenacity in steering the Bill through its various stages in your Lordships' House. However, as I have said throughout its passage, I cannot commend the Bill to the House.

On Question, Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.