HC Deb 17 February 1988 vol 127 cc605-6W
Mr. Bright

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has as to which British-based motor manufacturers are in a position to fit(a) oxidation catalysts and (b) three-way catalysts to their products from 1 January 1989.

Value: £ million
1979 1987*
(a) (b) Crude balance (a) (b) Crude balance
imports (cif) exports (fob) £ million as a percentage of (a) imports (cif) exports (fob) £ million as a percentage of (a)
Total trade 48,423 42,802 -5,621 12 94,016 79,851 -14,165 15
of which:
(i) Cereals and cereal preparations 668 264 -404 60 741 831 +90 12
(ii) Agricultural products 6,264 1,814 -4,450 71 9,407 4,080 -5,327 57
(iii) Other 42,160 40,988 -1,172 3 84,609 75,771 -8,838 10
of which:
(iv) Motor vehicles 2,997 1,519 -1,479 49 5,692 2,452 -3,240 57
(v) Electrical goods 3,643 3,633 -9 0 13,529 10,246 -3,283 24
(vi) Steel 998 1,080 + 83 8 1,603 1,874 + 271 17
(vii) Coal 136 62 -74 54 368 78 -290 79

Sources: The following SITC/R2 data in the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics: (i) Division 04, (ii) Sections 0 & 4 and Division 22, (iv) Groups 781, 782, 783 and Sub-group 784.1, (v) Divisions 75, 76, 77 and Group 716, (vi) Groups 672–675, Sub-groups 678.2, .3, .4 and 679.3 and Items 676.01 (part), .02 (part), 679.42 and 791.99 (part), (vii) Sub-groups 322.1 and 322.2.

Notes: (i) crude balance is United Kingdom exports (fob) less United Kingdom imports (cif). (ii) 0 signifies a value of less than 0.5. (iii) * 1987 figures are provisional.

Mr. Atkins

Some United Kingdom motor manufacturers are currently producing three-way catalyst versions of certain of their models for export markets which enforce emissions standards requiring such equipment. However, these models are not necessarily produced in specifications designed for United Kingdom conditions. No United Kingdom manufacturers are presently supplying cars fitted with oxidation catalysts. The future model plans of the manufacturers are a commercial matter for the companies concerned.