§ 7. Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to public funds of maintaining the Braye Harbour breakwater in Alderney since it was first built; and what action he is taking to get rid of this liability.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsAbout £764,000 since the Home Office asumed financial responsibility in 1950. To assess the total cost since 1864, when the breakwater was completed, would involve disproportionate expense. On the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend is considering with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Public Building and Works and the Chancellor of the Exchequer the strengthening of the breakwater which should lead to an eventual reduction in the cost of maintenance.
§ Mr. LiptonDoes not my hon. Friend agree that the time has come when the Channel Islands, with their low rate of income tax and cheap cigarettes and liquor, should be able to afford to undertake this liability and not leave it to the British taxpayer to spend up to £50,000 a year on the breakwater?
§ Mrs. WilliamsI fully understand why my hon. Friend, who is a good egalitarian, finds himself rather nettled by this. He will know that the Commission on the Constitution is considering the whole relationship of the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands, and I am sure he will recognise that it will be more appropriate to make any decisions which may be necessary after and not before that commission has reported.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyWill the Minister give an assurance that whatever the economics may be, everything will be done to bring about a reasonable settlement between this small island and the people of this country?
§ Mrs. WilliamsYes, indeed. It is true that the Committee of the Privy Council in 1949 recommended that this should be regarded for the time being as our responsibility and not the responsibility of Alderney.