Marples' aid to British factories

Sir,

Congratulations to Mr. D. A. Girdler on his very excellent suggestion that British cars be M.O.T. tested before leaving their place of manufacture.

Such an inspection and test might at least do something towards preventing the many faults which are present before the car reaches the dealer or which develop after it has been delivered to the unfortunate customer.

Personally, knowing what I do, I would not waste my money on a British made car under £2,500, because I only want a vehicle which has been, firstly, built by workpeople whose minds are on the job in hand and not on the grounds for the next unofficial strike and, secondly, inspected in a conscientious and fearless manner after assembly.

When some British manufacturer can guarantee to supply me with a defect-free car under £1,000 I shall be delighted to place an order providing, of course, I can comfortably locate my 6 ft. 2 in. and 15 stone therein.

Until then I shall continue to “buy foreign” from a factory where there are ten inspectors to every hundred workers and there has been no strike of any kind since the war,. i.e., Volkswagenwerk at Wolfsburg.

Tadworth. WILFRID O. FARMER.