§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What proposals have been made by the Commission of the European Communities about vehicle number plates; whether these would make it compulsory for all vehicles to have a European Community number plate; and what is their attitude to such proposals.
§ Viscount DavidsonNo formal proposals for a European Community number plate have been received by Her Majesty's Government. A European Commission working group has however suggested a specification and design for a "Europlate" which incorporates the European flag (12 gold stars on a blue background), together with the Geneva Convention abbreviation of the country in which the car is registered. Such plates would be fitted to new cars from a date to be agreed. The Government have no fundamental objections provided there is no reduction in the present high standard of clarity and readability of British number plates.