§ Dr. NaysmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the(a) role, (b) terms of reference and (c) annual budget of (i) the Trinity House Lighthouse Authority and (ii) The Commission for Irish Lights in each year since 1997. [87597]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe role and terms of reference of the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLA) are set out in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 as amended. This requires them to provide marine aids to general navigation in their respective areas, adjacent seas and islands. The Trinity House Lighthouse Service is the GLA for England, Wales and the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. The Commissioners for Irish Lights is the GLA for Northern Ireland. Under the Republic of Ireland Merchant Shipping Act 1894 as amended, CIL is also the GLA for the Republic. The GLAs deliver services in accordance with international standards agreed by the700W International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities. All three GLAs submit annual Corporate Plans for approval by the Secretary of State.
The annual budget spend from 1997\98 to 2002\03 is set out in the table.
£000 Trinity House Lighthouse Service Commissioners of Irish Lights 1997–98 29,187 13,775 1998–99 29,362 13,401 1999–2000 28,587 13,701 2000–01 30,364 15,077 2001–02 30,203 16,168 2002–03 31,998 16,034