§ Mr. McCurleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received the report of the review of the lighthouse services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyYes. I have received the report of the review, which was conducted by Messrs. Arthur Young McLelland Moores, and I have today placed a copy in the Library.
The review was commissioned jointly by the three general lighthouse authorities and by my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Cockfield when Secretary of State for Trade. It was undertaken following criticisms made in the 29th Report of the Committee of Public Accounts in July 1982 (HC 438). The Committee endorsed criticisms made by the Comptroller and Auditor General and by the Lights Advisory Committee and called for a fundamental review of the lighthouse services.
The report of the review is a thorough and workmanlike document. It makes a large number of recommendations designed to improve the management of the lighthouse services and to define more clearly my Department's role in the administration of the general lighthouse fund. It criticises the present structure of light dues, and draws attention to the fact that a number of the users of 567W navigational aids, notably the Royal Navy, fishermen and yachtsmen make no contribution towards the cost of providing the aids. It suggests improved arrangements for consultation between the general lighthouse authorities and the users of the aids.
As a first step, I am inviting views on the report's recommendations from the general lighthouse authorities, representatives of shipowners and port authorities, and from other interested parties. When I have received and considered their comments, I will make a further statement.