§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has had representations from United Kingdom car manufacturers about the responsibility for safety standards of cars converted in Europe from left-hand drive to right-hand drive for import into the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. ChalkerSome representations have been made but no evidence was presented, or is available, to suggest that cars converted from left to right-hand drive contribute to vehicle accidents.
§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied that United Kingdom-produced cars converted from right-hand drive to left-hand drive and then imported into the United Kingdom meet type approval and safety standards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerImported cars, whether converted or not, are required to comply with the relevant type of approval and other safety standards as appropriate. Discussions currently under way with representatives of the motor industry about the provision of type approval information to private individuals and non-accredited dealers, coupled with a readier availability of right-hand drive cars on the Continent, should reduce the extent to which conversions are necessary.
§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied that United Kingdom-produced left-hand drive cars bought by United Kingdom nationals in European Economic Community member countries and imported into the United Kingdom meet type approval and technical standards set by him.
§ Mrs. ChalkerLeft-hand drive cars re-imported from other European Economic Community States will meet the 457W national type approval requirements if they conform to a type for which an approval certificate is in force. In other cases, it may not be possible to license such imports unless the personal import exemption applies.