§ Mrs. Ann Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has about the sale to motor vehicle dealers in other European Economic Community countries by manufacturers of vehicles at less than cost price.
§ Mr. FletcherDetailed information about manufacturers' cost structures and the terms of sales between dealers and manufacturers in other EC countries is not generally available to my Department.
§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now take steps to ensure that cars are available for purchase in the United Kingdom at prices similar to those in other European Community countries.
§ Mr. Butcher[pursuant to his reply, 24 July 1984, c. 565]: The Government have no power to control the prices of cars in the United Kingdom. Differentials between prices in the United Kingdom and other member states have varied over time and are due to a variety of factors. The EC Commission is currently preparing a regulation which will grant exemption from the Community's competition rules for motor vehicle selective distribution agreements subject to certain conditions, designed to help customers purchase cars wherever in the EC they wish. The Government are participating in discussions with the Commission to achieve a satisfactory regulation.