§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he proposes to take in the light of his Department's report on liner shipping freight, to reduce the burden of light dues on ships using United Kingdom ports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of (a) the total extra revenue and (b) the total additional administrative costs, if all yachts had to pay light dues; what assessment he has made of the implications of such a policy in the light of European Economic Community regulations; and what are his intentions on extending light dues in this way.
§ Mr. RidleyI have been concerned for some time about the burden that these charges represent for the shipping industry and on the competitiveness of United Kingdom ports in relation to those of our EC neighbours. I asked Arthur Andersen and Co, the consultant accountants, to undertake a major study of the structure of light dues and subsequently I consulted widely on the recommendations that it had made. The most contentious of these were that the liability for light dues should be extended to pleasure craft and fishing vessels. I have given most careful thought to the feasibility of imposing such charges, but I have decided that it is impractical. I do not intend to pursue the idea.
The report, however, identified a number of ways in which the burden of light dues might be spread more equitably between the existing categories of payers. I have asked for a further study of these possibilities to be undertaken in consultation with the general lighthouse authorities and the shipowners. I will make a further statement on the outcome in due course.
§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he proposes to take in the light of his Department's report on liner shipping freight rates to reduce United Kingdom port costs to a level nearer the average for continental ports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyI am pursuing with the European Commission whether the financial assistance that many continental ports receive from public funds gives them an unfair competitive advantage. One of the main aims of my proposed reform of marine pilotage is to improve its cost-effectiveness. Improvements in operating efficiency are up to the port operators themselves. As the report notes, improvements were reported in 1985.