§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many second-hand cars, manufactured and used in Japan, were imported into the United Kingdom in 1997; and what is her estimate of the number in 1998. [30724]
§ Mr. BattleThe latest figures available from Customs and Excise show that between January and October 1997, 1,654 used motor vehicles were imported into the UK directly from Japan. It is not possible from the figures to identify separately those which were manufactured in Japan, or to include those which came to the UK from Japan via a third country. This trade is a difficult one to predict and it is not possible to provide an estimate for 1998.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the importation of second-hand cars manufactured and used in Japan on the United Kingdom manufacturing and retail motor industry; and if she will make a statement. [30723]
§ Mr. BattleMy noble Friend the Minister for Roads is currently reviewing the impact of the new Single Vehicle Approval scheme, in consultation with me. As part of this process we will take into account any effect on UK industry of imports into the UK under the scheme.