HL Deb 23 July 1987 vol 488 cc1479-81

11.12 a.m.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will give full, but rapid, consideration to the report of the Lights Advisory Committee which recommends that part of the system of lights and navigational aids is no longer necessary.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I am giving careful consideration to the Lights Advisory Committee's proposal for a review of the traditional aids to navigation. I shall take this forward in conjunction with our study of a separate report on future developments in marine navigational aids, which also recommended a scrutiny, with the users and lighthouse authorities, of the present range of lights and daymarks. The general lighthouse authorities are the bodies responsible for these matters, and I shall be pursuing these proposals in conjunction with them.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that assurance. Do the Government recognise the paradox that the cost of these navigational aids is now being met mainly by the larger vessels which do not need them because they have their own electronic equipment, as it is apparently impractical to collect the dues from the smaller vessels? Is the Minister aware that this penalises our merchant fleet and makes British ports less competitive?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I recognise the concern that is felt by the Lights Advisory Committee and by my noble friend on this issue. However, I do not think that the matter is so simple. Even some of the larger vessels need to use those aids; we also collect from smaller vessels. However, we are doing what we can to try to deal with this situation. As I said in my original Answer, we look very carefully at the proposals that are put before us, as indeed do the general lighthouse authorities.

Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove

My Lords, is the Minister aware that no-one believes that none of the lights is required, but that there is a general feeling that there are too many lights and that the system is far too expensive? I am pleased to hear that he intends thoroughly to review the matter. Can he give us any idea when he will be able to publish some material on this subject? Surely he is aware that in the past few weeks the question of lights has been raised by Members from all parts of the House and that is is causing some concern to shipping interests.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I am aware of the situation and I certainly hold the view of the noble Lord, Lord Carmichael, that there is no question of all navigational aids being removed. Some are certainly very necessary. As I said, we are studying two separate reports—one from the Lights Advisory Committee and the other commissioned by ourselves—and there is a further report on the tender vessel requirements. We shall move forward as fast as we can but I cannot give a certain date when we may be able to take action. It is for the general lighthouse authorities, in consultation with us, to decide what to do.

Lord Greenway

My Lords, I welcome what the Minister has said with regard to taking note of the current plans of the lighthouse authorities about reducing the number of lights. In his discussions, will the Minister also bear in mind the importance of listening to ships' masters and officers at sea, whose views should be paramount in this case?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, any question of closures would be for the general lighthouse authority concerned, which always consults the users when contemplating withdrawals.

Lord Ferrier

My Lords, is the Minister satisfied that the authorities are keeping in close touch with yacht clubs and cruising societies, such as the Clyde Cruising Club, in respect of this problem?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, as I said, it is a matter for the general lighthouse authorities and they consult the users when proposing changes.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, is not the eventual solution to relinquish the navigational aids which are not strictly necessary and to meet the resulting reduced cost from general taxation, as is done by most of the other countries in North-West Europe?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, within the limits of administrative practicability, the Government think it right that the costs of the lighthouse service should be met by those who use the services. I can hold out no prospect of the Exchequer taking over the £60 million annual cost of those services.