Light Dues - Response from the Minister

[Talbot]

I Faxed my MP abt Light Dues and he fwded this to the appropriate Minister (David Jamieson (david.jamieson@dft.gsi.gov.uk)) The following is his response:

"The Government remains committed to a cost recovery system for funding marine aids to navigation. We do not believe taxpayers should meet these costs. In September 2003, we began a study on the economic effect of light dues on commercial operating and trading patterns. The study has covered both the direct impact of the present charging structure on shipping lines, ports and owners of fishing vessels and pleasure craft and the direct impact on the regional and national economy. A representative of the <font color=blue>Royal Yachting Association</font color=blue> was a member of an Advisory Group of key stakeholders assisting the study.

The report of the study will be published in the next few weeks. We will then consider its conclusions before making an announcement on our reaction to the report and any changes to the future structure of light dues.

In addition, a new more versatile collection system will come into operation in April this year. It will provide an electronic method of collecting light dues, permitting direct payment and removing the manual paperwork of the present system. It is expected to reduce costs and introduce greater flexibility and variations in the charging patterns. But that does not mean that pleasure craft will be charged light dues. It is an option we are considering and will evaluate in the light of the conclusions reached by the economic study"

<font color=red>Anyone else reckon they are being economical with the truth?</font color=red>

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[maxi]

You use the term Government, what government where? is this something new?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Mik_Mohr]

"We will not be raising income tax", just every other tax possible, including national insurance (an income tax, just not THE income tax), charging for an education because graduates apparently get it for free (despite the benefit derived by the nation from the knowledge gained, and the extra tax already paid by those who get the higher paid jobs). This last one following a manifesto pledge not to introduce it. Basically I am fed up with all political parties. Politicians are more concerned with the fortunes of their party, the accuisition and retention of power, than they are of the people they are elected to govern (any of them who read this will get upset as they will say they got into the job to make a difference for people. My reply is look how many followed their party recently on issues over education and health instead of their own hearts. And any Conservative should not gloat either). I believe this is why fewer and fewer people are interested in politics anymore.

I am not a Conservative, nor Labour (new or old), nor a Liberal. I simply would like a politician to represent my views to parliament. Not pretend to listen. Not to call my views uninformed. Just because my view differs from someone elses does not automatically make me wrong/ignorant/bigoted or whatever. Calling for "an intelligent debate" is not an excuse to pretend to listen to a view then ignore it, or rubbish it, then do what they want anyway! Saying something is wrong does not make it so.

Sorry this sounds like a tirade! One of the reasons for me getting into sailing is to be able to escape from some of the madness I see in my poor country right now. Perhaps I am doing the wrong thing. Perhaps I should stay and fight. But until the current party political system is seen to be an outmoded hangover from the the era of James the first, it is not worth it. We have the technology to replace this parliamentary democracy (not a real democracy at all) with a real democracy. But that would mean the end of the power of the politicians and real power to people. However, turkeys don't vote for Christmas! It would never get through without a real coup!

Talk about topic creep!

Yes, as a relatively powerless minority, seen by many as rich (all boat owners are rich aren't they), we are an easy target. Same goes for the red diesel affair. I trust this government, and pretty much any government of recent history, about as far as I could throw the lot of them.

<hr width=100% size=1>You can lead a student to knowledge, but you cannot make them think.

 

[Keith]

You have it right there in the first four lines "we see no reason why tax payers should foot the bill"....what are we if not tax payers....anyway this came from an MP so you know they are going to be economical with the truth..... i would go one further.........if there lips are moving..their lying!!!!!!!!.............keith

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ships_parrot]

Three questions:

a) Being an island nation, why shouldn't the taxpayer pay for the navigation marks that allow their consumer products to come into the country in a relatively environmentally friendly way?

b) If we're paying for a service, can we sue when we hit a rock with no light on it?

c) How irritating is it going to be for those who aren't in the places where there are plenty of navigational marks? I'm thinking of Cardigan bay here.. One of the few Trinity House ports to my knowledge in the area is Aberdovey, where experience tells you that you can't expect the buoys to be anywhere near the channel in the winter.. (see b)

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[qsiv]

I trust the same logic applies to air navigation aids and services?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AlexL]

Hmm, Once again the government is using the "we don't think taxpayers should pay for this" ploy, which A) is a right wing fiscal concept, and B) assumes that the tax will then be reduced as the 75 odd million for Trinity house is now not being paid. however the government will still collect the tax and THEN charge us for this service, so our payments will just be paying for teachers pensions and government salaries etc etc, just as all the other tax rises are.
However the main issue is that this will be totally unenforcable, unless there is some form of compulsary boat, or personal licensing scheme. Time to register my boat in France perhaps?

<hr width=100% size=1>