'Port tax' scrapped on boats, news and freight

FEARS about the future of national newspaper deliveries, rising construction costs and increased mooring fees have been allayed by the States.

Members yesterday rejected a set of increased charges at the airport and harbours that Public Services proposed to raise the £1.8m. a year the States had told it to find.

The department, criticised by trade bodies for the hikes it initially proposed six weeks ago, successfully amended its own report to send Treasury and Resources off to come up with the money instead.

But this is likely to leave taxpayers and users of other States services finding the money - some £6m. in total - to help fund the island's capital building programme.

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