§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the value in pound sterling of the total British motor components industry; how much the industry exports; what is the value of British imports of motor components; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonIt is estimated that in 1982 manufacturers' sales of parts and accessories (defined below) for cars and commercial vehicles and for their engines approached £2.9 billion. The corresponding amounts of exports and imports were £1.5 billion and £1.0 billion, respectively.
The industry continues to be affected by the recession which has reduced the demand for vehicles world-wide. There has, however, been a recent significant growth in the level of United Kingdom car registrations, helped by the Government's decision to abolish hire purchase controls, and I hope the components sector will be able to derive full benefit from this.
21WNote: In the context of this reply, parts and accessories are defined as those made largely or wholly of metal, as according to activity heading 3530 of the standard industrial classification — revised 1980. They exclude, therefore, for example, complete engines, electrical equipment, instrumentation, tyres, batteries and glass, which are products of other industries. Information, on this wider definition, of manufacturers' sales is not readily available, but trade data are compiled by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.