§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the costs of the Commissioners of Irish Lights is now borne by shipping calling at United Kingdom ports; if he will express the amount in £ sterling; and what steps have been taken, or undertakings given, by the Government of the Irish Republic in response to representations made by Her Majesty's Government to ensure that such costs of the Commissioners as are generated within the Republic should be paid for there.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe Commissioners' expendidture is met from the general lighthouse fund, which is derived from light dues paid by shipping using ports in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. In 1984–85 the forecast outturn of the Commissioners' expenditure is £10 million. Light dues collected in the Republic's ports in 1984–85 are expected to be about £1 million. On that basis about 90 per cent. of the Commissioners' expenditure will be derived, via the fund, from light dues paid by shipping in the United Kingdom, including, of course, Northern Ireland.
The Irish Government have accepted that a larger part of the costs incurred in the Republic by the Commissioners should be met from sources within the Republic, and negotiations to establish the amount are continuing between the Governments.