HC Deb 08 April 1998 vol 310 cc308-9W
Ms Perham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the arrangements for single vehicle approval due to come into effect on 1 May will be modified; and if he will make a statement. [38916]

Dr. Strang

I am laying regulations today that will amend the procedures for importing cars and light goods vehicles that have not been built (type approved) to British or European standards. The new measures, which modify those already in place, will ensure that safety and environmental standards appropriate for use in Britain are met.

The changes start to take effect from 1 May 1998. The main points are:

Safety and environmental standards appropriate to British conditions will be determined by an inspection of the vehicle's design and construction prior to first registration in Britain—"Single Vehicle Approval" (SVA).The current definition of "personal import" will remain for the time being—ie where
  1. (a) the vehicle has been purchased outside the United Kingdom for the personal use of the individual importing it or his dependants;
  2. (b) the vehicle has been so used by that individual or his dependants on roads outside the UK before it is imported;
  3. (c) the vehicle is intended solely for such personal use in the UK, and
  4. (d) the individual importing the vehicle intends to remain in the UK for not less than twelve months from the time when application is made for a first licence for the vehicle under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.
Vehicles up to 3 years old that are personally imported by individuals will have to pass the SVA test before they can be registered. There will be a 2 month transitional period during which individuals who have made arrangements to import vehicles under the existing personal import conditions may continue to do so.Manufacturers and independent dealers will be able to import and sell cars and light goods vehicles from outside Europe up to a cumulative maximum total of 50 examples of any one model in any one year. In such cases, vehicles up to 10 years old will be subject to SVA.I will consult on options for future arrangements for vehicle imports under the SVA scheme, in particular the question of numbers. This will be undertaken by 1 January 1999.From 1 May 1998, SVA will recognise overseas approvals if they are broadly equivalent to SVA requirements.Any motor caravan or ambulance may be imported by anyone and will not have to undergo SVA, although such vehicles (and any other light passenger car or light goods vehicle) may be volunteered for inspection. Similarly, the scheme will, from 1 May, be available to manufacturers of vehicles constructed using parts from a previously registered vehicle.Vehicles kept by members of Visiting Forces will be exempt from SVA; they will undergo comparable inspections by the Visiting Force.Cars that have been type-approved in Europe are not affected by these measures, nor is any vehicle that has been licensed and registered before 1 July 1998.SVA will apply to amateur-built vehicles registered on or after 1 July 1998.