§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to restrict foreign car imports now that they have reached 46 per cent. of car sales in December 1976.
§ Mr. MeacherFollowing inter-industry discussions in July last year, the Japanese industry forecast that there would be no conspicuous change in its share of the British market, which has remained at around 9 per cent. to 9½ per cent. in the last two years. I understand that the two industries are meeting again at the end of this month. In considering imports from other sources we have to bear in mind among other things that we have a very large export trade in cars and that, as regards both the EEC and EFTA countries, we have a considerable surplus in trade with both groups in commercial vehicles and car parts which substantially reduces the deficit on cars themselves.