HC Deb 09 December 1999 vol 340 cc603-4W
Mr. Woolas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking relating to foreign aircraft operating to the UK over the Millennium period. [102448]

Mr. Hill

My Department has issued foreign airlines with their normal operating permits for providing services to and from the UK. These permits are granted to airlines only if they comply with international safety standards. In view of the Y2K problem, my Department has taken the exceptional step of asking airlines to provide information confirming that flights would be free from any Y2K safety related risk. The airlines have been advised that, in the event of such information not being provided, the Department reserves the right to suspend their permits over the critical period.

National non-domestic rates—calculations of distributable amount for 2000–01
£ million
1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01
Final outturn Provisional outturn Provisional outturn Estimated in-year contribution
1. Income from Local lists
Multiplier (p) 45.8 47.4 48.9 41.6
Gross Rate Yield 13,493 13,839 14,158 15,067
(i) Reliefs
(a) Net Transitional Relief -430 -482 -460 -737
(b) Empty properties -934 -961 -944 -987
(c) Charitable -495 -504 -520 -544
(d) Rural Shops and Post Offices — -2 -2 -2
(e) Discretionary -17 -18 -32 -33
Net Yield after reliefs 11,617 11,872 12,200 12,764
(ii) Collection costs/reductions to contributions
(a) Costs of collection -78 -79 -83 -83
(b) Losses on collection -112 -109 -115 -120
(c) City of London offset -7 -7 -7 -7
Total contribution in respect of year 11,420 11,677 11,995 12,554
(iii) Repayments/interest payments
Total adjustments -291 -486 -270 -367
Net Local Yield 11,129 11,191 11,725 12,187
2. Income from Central list
Net Central List Yield 1,207 1,273 1,320 1,330
3. Income from Crown
Contributions in Aid
Net Crown Yield 469 440 396 410
Total NDR Yield 12,805 12,904 13,441 13,927
4. Exchequer Contributions
Total Exchequer contributions 400 360 310 415
Total NNDR pool payments (1+2+3+4) 13,205 13,264 13,751 14,342

Two airlines have yet to provide confirmation that their flights will be free from any Y2K safety related risk. These are Gulf Air; and Southern Aviation (Zambia). These airlines have therefore been advised that, unless such confirmation is received, their permits to operate to the UK over the Millennium period will be suspended.