I am aware of concerns that have been raised that consumers will not benefit to the full extent from the £1,000 VRT relief scheme, which I announced in the budget, for cars ten years and over being scrapped in favour of the purchase of a new car. I wish to assure the Deputy that I am taking this and other aspects of the scheme into consideration in so far as is possible in drawing up details for the forthcoming Finance Bill.
In addition, I would point to media reports, quoting industry sources, which indicated that any customer participating in the scheme will be treated as a straight cash buyer and would benefit from the discounts that are normally available for such transactions.
I would certainly expect the motoring industry to play its part in ensuring that the full benefit of the concession flows to the consumer. I would be extremely disappointed were this not to be the case.