HC Deb 16 November 1966 vol 736 cc432-3
55. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the number of Britannia aircraft employed in the Zambia airlift and the total number of gallons transported to date.

Mr. Rees

The Royal Air Force airlift consisted of five Britannias, with at certain periods a sixth in reserve. It carried 3½ million gallons of fuel into Zambia between 19th December, 1965, and 31st October, 1966.

Mr. King

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us the transport cost per gallon that this represents?

Mr. Rees

By simple arithmetic, it would come to about £1 per gallon. There were difficulties of distance and type of aircraft. Very shortly now we shall have a much better type of transport aircraft, which would have brought down the price, though that is not true in all cases in other lifts.

Mr. Paget

Did the aircraft in transporting 3½ million gallons of petrol burn about 5 million gallons?

Mr. Rees

The amount of fuel burnt by the aircraft is not taken into account because I am advised that they did not refuel before returning.

Mr. William Hamilton

Would the Government initiate another airlift if a request came from Zambia?

Mr. Rees

No such request has been made. We acceded to the request in the first instance. I think it is better to leave it at that at the moment.