§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the current deficit of the Air Transport Operators Licence Fund; and what proposals he has to reduce this amount. [31190]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe deficit of the Air Travel Trust (ATTE) (which provides back-up to the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) system and to which I believe my hon. Friend refers, is currently £5.38 million. The Government are considering options for eliminating this deficit, including the possibility of legislation to empower the Trustees of the Fund to raise a levy on tour operators.