§ Sir Anthony GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will report on the progress of his talks with car manufacturers concerning the provision of security systems in cars; if he will make such provision compulsory in new vehicles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenAt a seminar on crime prevention chaired by the then Prime Minister in 1986, it was agreed that the British Standards Institution and the motor vehicle manufacturers should produce a performance based standard on car security. A five-part standard—BS AU209—was subsequently published, covering mechanical locking systems, in-car entertainment equipment, window etching, central power locking and deadlocking.
My right hon. Friend is engaged in a series of meetings with the motor vehicle manufacturers to encourage them to adopt these standards for all new cars. Many manufacturers have already made significant improvements in security, but there is still much more that can be done. My right hon. Friend and I will meet the manufacturers again on 11 December to discuss their progress.
It would be a breach of European Community law for the Government to introduce separate national legislation on vehicle security since this would constitute a technical barrier to trade with member states. It was, however, agreed at the seminar on crime prevention in 1986 that the Department of Transport would seek to have the British standard on vehicle security adopted as an EC directive. That Department, with the support of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, is continuing to take this matter forward in the motor vehicles working group of the European Commission; its efforts have my full support and that of my right hon. Friend.