asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the total number of fully assembled motor cars imported in 1968 and for the halfyear ended 30th June, 1969; and the number imported by each licence holder.
92.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Car Imports.
91.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the basis upon which licences are granted to motor assembly firms to import fully assembled motor cars.
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.
The basis upon which facilities are granted to motor assembly firms to import fully assembled motor vehicles is the scheme agreed with the manufacturers and assemblers of British vehicles designed to ensure the continuation of the assembly industry on a long term basis which was introduced at the end of 1967. The arrangements provide that, in general, imports of motor vehicles are to be channelled through registered importer assemblers who undertook to maintain a certain scale of assembly. Subject to this, and provided his imports do not prejudice the maintenance of his level of assembly, an importer-assembler of British vehicles may import fully built up vehicles.
Corresponding facilities are afforded to assemblers of vehicles of third country manufacture where the firms concerned have given satisfactory assurances about continued assembly.
The Motor Vehicles (Registration of Importers) Act, 1968, which came into operation on 22nd August, 1968, provides the statutory framework for the import channelling arrangements.
The number of new motor cars imported fully assembled in 1968 was 5,067. The number for the five months ended 31st May, 1969 was 3,188. Import figures for June are not yet available. It would not be in accordance with practice to disclose the business of individual firms by giving the number of licences issued to each registered importer.