§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends introducing higher specifications and standards for the design of motor vehicles to make them less susceptible to theft.
§ Mr. ChopeThere is already a British standard on vehicle security BS AU 209, which, if complied with by vehicle manufacturers, should make their motor vehicles less susceptible to theft.
My Department has therefore presented proposals to the European Commission for the amendment of the EC directive on vehicle security, based on the requirements contained in the British standard.
These proposals have so far been resisted by some other member states; but with the co-operation of the Society of 97W Motor Manufacturers and Traders we intend to submit revised proposals and press for their introduction at the earliest possible opportunity.
£000s Privatisation 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 11991–92 Sale of shares in National Freight Corporation 151 — — — — — — — — — — Sale of shares in Associated British Ports — 1,809 260 1,494 — — — — — — — Sale of shares in British Airways plc — — 50 1,012 674 20,804 11,364 72 675 47 1 Sale of shares in BAA plc — — — — — 564 41,149 3,095 17 1.392 1 Sale of National Bus Company Operations — — — — — 635 324 139 49 27 1,098 British Rail Privatisation Study (Consultants' fees) — — — — — — — 94 503 139 805 1Estimate. No expenditure was incurred before 1981–82.