§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce regulations to ensure that cars are designed to better standards in respect of their vulnerability to theft.
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§ Mr. ChopeMy Department is pressing for the adoption, as a European Community directive, of requirements for mechanical locking systems in passenger cars, as contained in British Standard AU 209 part 1. We are also supporting an international standard on motor vehicle alarms which could when completed form the basis of another EC directive. We hope to incorporate the provisions of such directives in national regulations at the earliest opportunity. In addition, we are pressing vehicle manufacturers to improve car security by voluntary means without waiting for regulation. During national crime prevention week we are emphasising that there is ample scope for improvement here.