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Car Manufacturing

We know that there is a global market out there. However, as the hon. Gentleman knows, most people still deliver in dollars. No one can get away from that fact, no matter how pro-European they might be. I have continued to press Departments to procure more cars built in the UK. The Ministry of Defence must procure more trucks and vans built here. I have looked into the spread in procurement by the police, ambulance and fire services and by other Government agencies, and I see no recognition of the need to buy British. I am deeply concerned at the apparent hurdle that needs to be overcome. What is wrong with buying British-built products? It is so important that we do so. It is something that the Government and their agencies have to do. Local authorities, the police, fire and ambulance services and primary care trusts have a big spend, but only 26 per cent. of the cars they use are built in the UK. That is ridiculous; it is absolutely absurd. Do we really believe that Italy, Germany and France would do that? We are meant to play on the same playing field, but if they tilt the situation their way, let us tilt it our way.