HL Deb 27 January 1999 vol 596 c153WA
Lord Wallace of Saltaire

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What contribution (a) the Channel Islands and (b) the Isle of Man make to the United Kingdom central budget in return for the services they receive from the United Kingdom Government. [HL577]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The United Kingdom Government are responsible for the defence and international representation of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man all make contributions to Her Majesty's Government towards the cost of providing these services but have different arrangements for doing so.

The latest available figures are:

  • Jersey's contribution is to pay for the maintenance of a Territorial Army unit in the Island, the Jersey Field Squadron and Royal Engineers. The total cost for 1998 was £1,500,000.
  • Guernsey's contribution is made up of the surrender of the receipts from the issue of British passports in the island (£113,867 for 1998) and the maintenance of the Alderney breakwater (£509,240 in 1997–1998 figures are not yet available). Prior to 1987, the breakwater was maintained by the United Kingdom Government.
  • The Isle of Man Government makes a monetary payment to the Treasury each year. For 1997–1998 this was £1,931,638.