§ Andrew MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether cars registered in England, but whose MOT vehicle test certificate expires during their stay in Northern Ireland, will be exempt from prosecution(a) while in Northern Ireland and (b) immediately on their return to England where the 133W vehicle owner can demonstrate that the reason for not having their vehicle examined was due to the industrial action of Northern Ireland civil servants; and if he will make a statement. [184763]
§ Mr. Jamieson[holding answer 16 July 2004]: The industrial action in Northern Ireland would have no impact on cars registered in Great Britain as such vehicles can only be MOT tested here. If the MOT certificate expires during a stay in Northern Ireland, the driver of the vehicle could face prosecution in the Province. On returning to GB, the vehicle would be exempt from the requirement to hold a MOT certificate provided it was driven directly to a pre-arranged MOT test.