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Ministers can with a Nissan

In the past, this honour has fallen to those solid British brands like Rover and Jaguar. Now, Japanese Nissan Primeras are to line up alongside them as part of the ministerial fleet.

But when ministerial cars are traditionally meant to have strong British links, how is it that a Nissan has been allowed into the ranks?

The Nissan plant falls within the Wearside constituency of Labour MP Fraser Kemp. It was his all his idea and, delighted with the news, he explained just how it was possible.

"It occurred to me that Nissan could be part of the fleet as it's a British-made car. I made an application to the Cabinet Office and after some very rigorous road testing the Primera came through. It's a great tribute to North Easterners that it's been recognised by ministers."

The whole car nationality issue is open to interpretation - and that includes those staunchly British Rovers and Jaguars.

David Clark is the Public Service Minister in charge of the Government car fleet. Aware of the anomaly of the situation, he gives a convincing argument.

"All cars are multi-national. I happen to own a Rover Sterling. Now that sounds very British but it's owned by a German company. The Nissan Primera is built up in Washington on Wearside, is built with a large percentage of British components and is in effect as much a British car as any other."

It will, however, be some time before Nissans are a common sight outside the smartest political addresses.

There are 180 cars in the ministerial fleet. And, although Primeras are expected to number as many as one in six of these in a few years, only one is being taken on for now.

So, is it Tony Blair who is soon to be seen out and about in a shiny new Nissan Primera? It seems not.

Unfortunately, the privilege for Nissan doesn't quite extend as far as the Prime Minister. The Wearside plant may not be far from his Sedgefield constituency but Prime Ministerial convention means that he will carry on riding in a Jaguar.

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