Written question asked by Malcolm Moss (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 June 1997. It was answered by Glenda Jackson (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 June 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: What plans he has for legislation to make illegal the practice of car clocking.

Answer: Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for legislation to make illegal the practice of car clocking; and if he will make a statement. [3855] Ms Glenda Jackson: The Trade Descriptions Act 1968 already makes it an offence to sell a car, in the course of a business, with a false odometer reading. Some prosecutions are also taken under the Theft Act 1968. However, I am concerned that there can be difficulties in gathering the necessary evidence of a car's true mileage, and in tracing previous owners, and the Government is looking at ways of tackling these problems. The Director General of Fair Trading is expected to report shortly on the outcome of his recent consultation exercise on problems concerning used cars, including clocking. I and Ministerial colleagues will consider his findings and recommendations extremely carefully.

Secondary information