The head of VW cars in the UK has apologised "unreservedly" for "significantly" letting down its customers in the diesel emissions scandal.
It comes days after the American boss of VW made a 'sincere apology' over the scandal which has affected more than 11 million cars worldwide.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin told the committee that VW "have behaved in an appalling way" during the diesel emissions scandal.
The devices being used to mask emissions had been outlawed as long ago as 1988, he said, adding:
The emissions scandal was sparked by US environmental regulators who found that VW had installed defeat device software which switched engines to a cleaner mode when they underwent official testing.
Volvo withdrew an app comparing cars' emissions in 2011, after being told by that the data "could not be taken seriously".
Volkswagen's US boss has admitted he was told in spring last year of the emissions cheating affecting millions of the company's vehicles.
Volkswagen could start recalling cars containing emissions cheating software in January, according to the firm's new chief executive.