§ Mr. DarlingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to recover sums due by airlines under the Immigration (Carriers' Liabilities) Act 1987; how much has been received to date; how much is outstanding; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydA total of £22.792 million had been incurred by carriers—that is, airlines and sea operators —to 13 November 1990. Of this sum, £8.135 million had been paid and £1–142 million waived on the basis of representations in individual cases, leaving £13.515 million outstanding.
Vigorous action is being taken to enforce payment of outstanding liabilities. In July, writs were issued against four airlines; three have since settled out of court. In October and November final demand letters were sent to all carriers with outstanding debts. These have produced a mixture of payments, promises of payment and requests for urgent meetings. Early meetings are being arranged, where requested, to discuss the scope for resolution without recourse to the courts. But the Treasury Solicitor will be instructed to institute civil recovery proceedings where payment or satisfactory proposals for payment are not forthcoming promptly.
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