HL Deb 30 October 1986 vol 481 c871

17 Page 14, line 16, at end insert— ( ) The powers under subsections (5) and (6) above to recover arrears of fishery assessment include power to recover interest, chargeable at such rate as the Secretary of State shall, with the consent of the Treasury, determine, on such arrears from—

  1. (a) in the case of recovery of arrears under subsection (5) above which have been outstanding for at least three months from the date of issue of a notice of assessment, that date; or
  2. (b) in the case of recovery of arrears under subsection (6) above which have been outstanding for at least three months from the date of the coming into force of this section, that date,
until payment of the commencement of an action for payment, whichever is the earlier.".

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I beg to move that this House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 17. It may be for the convenience of the House if I speak also to Amendment No. 49.

The Association of Scottish District Salmon Fishery Boards asked for a power to charge interest on arrears of fishery assessment. There was support for this in the earlier discussions in your Lordships' House. Unfortunately, the amendments produced at that time were defective and my right honourable friend undertook to look at the possibility of producing an acceptable form of words. These amendments enable the new boards or transitional boards to recover interest on arrears of fishery assessment imposed by them or their predecessors. Proprietors will, in effect, have three months' grace after which, if a board so decides, they will be able to recover interest from the date of demand for the fishery assessment. Provision is made for transitional situations.

Moved, That this House do agree with the Commons in the said amendment.—(Lord Glenarthur.)

Viscount Thurso

My Lords, this is a helpful amendment which will be welcomed by district fishery boards. In these days of high interest rates, poor payers can be a great drain on any organisation. The ability to recover the interest, which is after all what the boards will lose if the due assessments are not paid in time, is of enormous help to them, and I am grateful.

On Question, Motion agreed to.