HL Deb 01 April 1987 vol 486 cc682-3WA
Lord Brougham and Vaux

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the response of the island authorities of Jersey and Guernsey to the Government's request for the islands to make voluntary annual contributions towards the costs of defence and international representation undertaken by the United Kingdom.

The Earl of Caithness

We are pleased to announce that both Jersey and Guernsey have responded positively to the request.

As from 1st April 1987, Guernsey will assume from Her Majesty's Government the responsibility for the maintenance of the Alderney Breakwater (completed in 1865 to shelter the British fleet), make an annual contribution towards the cost of maintaining the Royal Naval Port Headquarters in Guernsey and remit fees collected for the issue of passports in Guernsey, in all amounting to approximately £700,000 in 1987–88.

In determining the form of its contribution Jersey has voted to establish on the island a territorial army unit whose costs it will bear. Detailed discussions on the feasibility of this are being undertaken urgently between representatives of the Jersey States and the Ministry of Defence. In the interim, Jersey has made a cash contribution of £800,000.

Agreement has also been reached with both island authorities that they should pay the costs of international representation undertaken by the United Kingdom specifically on the islands' behalf.