Volkswagen: Emissions

Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes Excerpts

Tuesday 19th January 2016 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

My Lords, as I say, we are looking to get to the bottom of the decision in the US.

[Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes (Con)]

Would my noble friend not agree that so far, there has been no formal statement from the Government that they are pursuing this matter with a view to protecting consumers who may have been hurt, individually or as purchasers in respect of the value of their cars, and that it is time for such a statement to be made, as has been demonstrated by all the questions asked in your Lordships’ House today?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I can reassure the House that much work has been going on behind the scenes. For example, two Secretaries of State—for Transport and for BIS—have met Paul Willis, who is in charge of the sales operation in the UK, and have written to the Volkswagen board on several occasions. They are behind the consumers who may be affected and are taking this extremely seriously.