Draft Merchant Shipping (General Lighthouse Authorities) (Increase of Borrowing Limit) Order 2026

Steff Aquarone Excerpts

Tuesday 24th February 2026 General Committees

[Steff Aquarone (North Norfolk) (LD)]

I shall speak briefly, first, to signify that the Liberal Democrats support the instrument. Secondly, I note that the increase widens the availability of funding options for Cromer lighthouse in my constituency, which has been keeping seafarers off the North Norfolk coast safe for nearly 200 years. Although it is no longer staffed and is instead operated remotely from a control centre in Essex, it still plays its part in the network of dozens of lighthouses and lightships that keep the seas safe and that we are supporting today. Many of those working dangerous maritime jobs live in the coastal communities they launch from, so the safety these lighthouses provide also reassures loved ones back on land in North Norfolk and in coastal communities across the country.

I also have in my constituency the only lighthouse in Great Britain that will not benefit from the draft order: Happisburgh lighthouse, which is Britain’s only independent lighthouse. After Trinity House sought to close it in the 1980s, the local community banded together and saved Happisburgh as a working light. Parliament passed the Happisburgh Lighthouse Act 1990 to allow that, and it continues to guide ships off our coast, funded by voluntary contributions. Painted in striking red and white stripes, the lighthouse welcomes locals and tourists travelling toward our beautiful coast. Perhaps the Minister will join me in congratulating the excellent team who keep Happisburgh lighthouse running, and share my hope that the light, which has shone since 1791, will shine for many decades to come.