Mr. Ted GarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in discussions with local authorities to extend the protection of the public from the sale of cannibalised cars; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyMy hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Corporate and Consumer Affairs and I discussed the sale of unroadworthy cars with the Director General of Fair Trading, local authority, motor trade and consumer organisations on 15 December 1987. We are working with the Office of Fair Trading and the other organisations on the possible extension of trading standards officers' powers to inspect cars on garage forecourts. The repair of accident-damaged cars has been considered by a working party set up by the Association of Chief Police Officers, whose report I look forward to seeing. Buyers of secondhand cars would be well advised to arrange a pre-sale inspection.