§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what share imported cars took of the United Kingdom car market in 1973; what they take currently; what forecasts were made in 1973 of the effect of EC830W membership on the British car industry; and by how much output and employment in the industry has changed since 1973.
§ Mr. SainsburyI am not aware of the forecasts to which the hon. Gentleman refers. A search of relevant literature would involve disproportionate cost.
The available data are as follows:
Year Imports as a percentage of UK car market Production (cars) Employment in motor vehicles and parts industry 1973 27 1,747,321 514,000 1974 28 1,543,119 500,000 1975 33 1,267,695 460,000 1976 38 1,333,449 451,000 1977 45 1,327,820 467,000 1978 49 1,222,949 474,000 1979 56 1,070,452 466,000 1980 57 923,744 437,000 1981 56 954,650 366,000 1982 58 887,679 318,000 1983 57 1,044,597 299,000 1984 58 908,906 281,000 1985 58 1,047,973 274,000 1986 56 1,018,962 266,000 1987 52 1,142,683 260,000 1988 56 1,226,835 271,000 1989 57 1,299,082 264,000 1990 57 1,295,611 249,000 1991 56 1,236,900 225,000 1992 55 1,291,880 234,000 1993 55 1,375,200 218,000 Sources: Imports as a percentage of UK market and production figures are from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Employment figures are from the Department of Employment.