§ Lord Brabazon of Taraasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there are any proposed changes to the current level of light dues.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)We are pleased to announce that light dues for 1997–98 will be reduced by about 4.6 per cent. from 43 pence to 41 pence per net ton, with consequential reductions to other charges. This reduction, coming after four years of stability, takes rates back to below those established in 1992. It is a clear demonstration of the increasing efficiency of the three General Lighthouse Authorities.
We are announcing changes to the light dues regulations which are designed to simplify some aspects of collection and will remove the liability to pay light dues in certain cases. Vessels liable to pay light dues by reference to their tonnage that do not hold an International Tonnage Certificate (1969) will pay on the basis of their gross registered tonnage.