§ 2.22 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the cost to the United Kingdom of the airlift to Zambia.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (LORD BESWICK)My Lords, the cost of the British civil and R.A.F. airlifts to Zambia up to February 9, the latest date for which figures are available, was approximately £1.28 million.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord. I take it that that figure also includes the cost of the oil being sent by the airlift?
§ LORD BESWICKNo, my Lords, that is the cost of the airlift alone.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, if that is the cost of the airlift alone, without the oil, have the Government made any estimate of how long this drain on our resources, together with the loss of trade caused by sanctions, is likely to continue? Is there any expectation that the results which were hoped for will be obtained?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, this opens up a wide field and I do not propose to speculate on the matters arising out of this question.