§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the increases in sea bed mooring rentals recently proposed by the Crown Estate Commissioners.
§ Mr. Lawson[holding answer 29 March 1988] : Mooring charges around the United Kingdom generally are reviewed at regular intervals in fulfilment of the Crown Estate Commissioners' statutory responsibilities. I am informed by the Crown Estate Commissioners that mooring rates applicable to the Clyde estuary within the jurisdiction of the Clyde moorings committee have recently been revised from 1 January 1988. (The previous review took effect in January 1981). The new rates are :
£ per annum per mooring 1 January 1988 1 January 1990 Single mooring 37 42 2–5 moorings 25 30 6–9 moorings 20 25 10 or more moorings 18 23
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenues were yielded to the Crown Estate Commissioners in each of the past 10 years from seabed mooring rentals; and what information he has on the formula on which such rentals are assessed.
§ Mr. Lawson[holding answer 29 March 1988]Information on revenues is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The Crown68W Estate is now computerising its accounting systems in a way which will enable information of this type to be provided in the future.
The Crown Estate's charges for seabed used for mooring purposes are recommended by the district valuers of the Inland revenue valuation office in pursuance of section 3(1) of the Crown Estate Act 1961 and undertakings given to Parliament during the passage of that Act.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many boat owners in each coastal area around the United Kingdom pay seabed moorings rentals to the Crown Estate Commissioners(a) individually and (b) through moorings associations formed for the purpose.
§ Mr. Lawson[holding answer 29 March 1988]The information on the number of boat owners who pay a licence fee or rental direct to the Crown Estate is not readily available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
The Crown Estate does not hold information on the number of boat owners who may currently have moorings within all areas of Crown seabed leased to mooring associations or fairway committees. There are also many other forms of letting arrangements which regulate the placing of moorings including leases to yacht clubs, harbour and port authorities, commercial boatyards and others.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the steps being taken by the Crown Estate Commissioners to identify seabed moorings on which no rental is currently being paid and on the sanctions being proposed.
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§ Mr. Lawson[holding answer 29 March 1988]: Visits are made as frequently as necessary to all parts of the estate by agents and officials of the Crown Estate. This does result in the identification of unauthorised uses of Crown Estate interests including moorings. Amicable arrangements are always sought to regularise the situation with the user of the moorings concerned either individually or by suitable group arrangements but civil remedies are available should they prove necessary.