§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many foreign-made motor cars it is expected that Her Majesty's Government will purchase (a) in the absence of sanctions against the Ford Motor Company Ltd. and (b) under the discretionary sanctions policy against that company.
§ Dr. Gilbert:I have been asked to reply.
The Ministry of Defence expects to purchase up to 20 foreign made cars in 1979–80 for use in those countries where it is not practicable to operate British cars.
The quantity of foreign made cars to be purchased to meet all other MOD requirements during the currency of stage 4 of incomes policy will depend upon the results of evaluation of suitable models.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Ford motor cars Her Majesty's Government are contracted to purchase at present; how many of these will be delivered; 686W and how many will not be, as a result of the discretionary action to be taken against the Ford Motor Company Ltd.
§ Dr. Gilbert:I have been asked to reply.
The Ministry of Defence has ordered from the Ford Motor Company Ltd. 927 cars which have not yet been delivered. 365 are for itself and 562 for other Government Departments. I know of no reason why all these vehicles should not be delivered.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many cars were purchased for the public service during 1977–78; how many are expected to be purchased during 1978–79; and in each case how many were manufactured by the Ford Motor Company Ltd.
§ Dr. Gilbert:I have been asked to reply.
In 1977–78, 3,141 cars were purchased by the Ministry of Defence for Government Departments and some non-Exchequer bodies. 1,622 of these were manufactured by the Ford Motor Company Ltd.
One thousand, seven hundred and ninety-nine have already been purchased in 1978–79 of which 1,015 were manufactured by the Ford Motor Co. Ltd. A further 2,501 are expected to be delivered by 31st March 1979 of which 902 will be Ford products.