HC Deb 21 March 1997 vol 292 cc1003-4W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the non-elected bodies responsible to his Department which are responsible for providing advice or services in London, indicating in each case the (i) overall budget and (ii) estimated running costs for each year from 1996–97 to 1999–2000. [21384]

Mr. Bowis

Very many bodies, elected and unelected, provide advice on transport in London or offer some form of transport service. Of these, three bodies have roles which are specific to London and are responsible to me. These are London Transport, the London Regional Passengers Committee and the Traffic Director for London. The information for these bodies is:

Traffic Director for London
£ million
1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00
(i) overall budget 17.5 22 22 22
(ii) estimated running costs 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

Budget and running costs for London Transport are a matter for LT.

My Department provides the LRPC with grant in aid which covers its running costs. The estimated outturn for 1996–97 is £534,000 and the planned level of grant for 1997–98 is £524,000. Figures for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are not available.

Mr. Congdon

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on light dues. [19540]

Sir George Young

[pursuant to his reply 16 March, c. 716.]: I am pleased to announce that light dues for 1997–98 will be reduced by about 4.6 per cent. from 43p to 41p per net tonne 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.

I am 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.