HC Deb 21 February 1989 vol 147 cc553-4W
Sir David Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what decisions he has taken concerning light dues in 1989–90; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Channon

I am pleased to report that the general lighthouse authorities continue to make progress in containing and reducing their costs. This will permit a further reduction of just over 10 per cent. in the overall amount of light dues collected in the coming year; this includes the abolition of deck cargo dues. This means that light dues will be 40 per cent. lower in real terms than eight years ago.

I am grateful for the constructive comments received from bodies consulted about the possible reforms of light dues, which I announced on 7 November last. Some of these reforms, including a change from net to gross tonnage for assessment purposes, require further consideration before they are implemented, but I am able to announce the following changes effective from 1 April 1989:

  1. (a) Abolition of deck cargo dues on foreign-going voyages, to bring foreign trade ships into line with those in the home trade. This will be particularly welcome to shipping engaged in container and other part-cargo traffic.
  2. (b) A merging of the tariffs for home trade and foreign going ships based on a standard charge of £3.06 per 10 net registered tons up to a maximum of seven voyages. This represents a 2 per cent. cash reduction in the basic tariff.
  3. (c) A new separate tariff for roll-on/roll-off ferries, which will be charged on the same number of voyages as other ships at the following rates: £3.06 per 10 net registered tons on the first 1,000 NRT and £6.12 per 10 NRT on any excess over 1,000 NRT. The objective here is to secure a modest increase in the very small contribution currently made by such vessels to the general lighthouse fund. The change will less than double the ferries' present contribution of around 1.5 per cent. to light dues.

Other minor changes will be introduced. The payment period for fishing vessel dues will be brought into line with the financial year, and a half-yearly charge will be introduced for this class. The concessionary light dues scale for visiting cruise ships will be terminated. A minimum payment of £25 per voyage will be introduced for vessels paying on a voyage basis. Home trade vessels will be given the option of paying light dues on no more than two voyages a month (currently three voyages). I am minded to extend this facility to foreign-owned ships in 1990 and at the same time to replace the present complex rules defining chargeable voyages in this sector.

These changes represent a continuing reduction of the burden of light dues combined with a first round of constructive reforms to simplify the light dues system. The necessary order will be laid shortly.

I have previously stated that the British Ports Federation is conducting a feasibility study into possible ways in which owners of pleasure crafts might contribute to the cost of lighthouse authorities. But, whatever the outcome of the feasibility study, I would not envisage any changes in 1989–90.