HC Deb 26 May 1978 vol 950 c767W
Mr. Cant

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will give further consideration to clarifying his administrative definition of an imported car.

Mr. Dell

For the purposes of the United Kingdom overseas trade statistics an imported motor car is simply an article imported into the United Kingdom from another country which whether assembled or unassembled, has the essential character of a motor car. I see no need to revise this definition, which reflects international usage. I understand that in the statistics of vehicles registered in this country, which are published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and by the Department of Transport, any car of which the place of final assembly was outside the United Kingdom is regarded as an imported car. Any question of revising this definition is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.