§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the implementation in the United Kingdom of the European Community Commission's regulation concerning the motor vehicle distribution systems published on 18 January.
§ Mr. FletcherThe Government very much welcome the adoption of this regulation, which seeks not only to give greater legal certainty to dealers and manufacturers but to ensure that selective distribution systems do not partition the Community's internal market. The Government believe that the regulation will give 443W consumers greater freedom to buy from dealers in other member states if they wish, which in turn should add impetus to the present trend towards a narrowing of price differences between member states. The Government look to the Commission to ensure that the regulation, which comes into force on 1 July 1985, is effective. They are proposing to the Commission that the effect of the regulation as well as any practical problems it raises for dealers and manufacturers should be reviewed after a reasonable trial period.