THE Government remains tight-lipped on the likely publication date of the long-awaited new Department of Trade and Industry orders governing the sale of new cars in Britain - the result of the Competition Commission's investigation into the supply of new vehicles.

A DTI spokeswoman said that while there was 'no definite timing, the orders could be published later this week or early next.

She added: 'We are expecting the orders to be published shortly and to be effective in time for the launch of X-registered cars on September 1.'