HC Deb 22 December 1982 vol 34 cc543-4W
Mr. Bright

asked the Minister for Trade, pursuant to the reply of 29 July to the hon. Member for Preston, North (Mr. Atkins), how he proposed to wind up the aviation security fund.

Mr. Sproat

In my written answer of 29 July to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston, North (Mr. Atkins) I said that the aviation security fund would be wound up with effect from 31 March 1983, and I promised that detailed arrangements would be announced later. I am now ready to announce these arrangements.

It is important that the fund should not be in deficit on winding up, and that the progress of winding up be completed expeditiously. To this end it is proposed to proceed as follows:

  1. (a) The winding up of the fund will be given effect by an order under section 36(1) of the Aviation Security Act 1982, which I shall lay before the House after the Christmas Recess; that Order will. from 1 April 1983, suspend the obligation on aerodrome managers to pay contributions to the fund; and it will provide for the return to contributors of a share—determined in accordance with the statute—of the net assets standing to the credit of the fund on completion of the winding up.
  2. (b) The Department will only consider for reimbursement from the fund claims that it receives by 31 May 1983 and that relate to expenditure incurred on or before 31 March 1983.