§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state for the 12 months ended 31st March, 1967 the costs of the civil aviation unit administered by his Department; what this unit comprises; what action he has taken, or proposes to take, to reduce these 177W costs; and how they compare with those incurred during the year ended 31st March, 1966.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuThe cost of the Civil Aviation Flying Unit for the 12 months ended 31st March, 1967, was £761,270, of which about £48,000 related to communication flights, compared with £714,600 and £18,000 respectively for the 12 months ended 31st March, 1966. The 1966–67 figures are provisional at this stage. The Unit comprises 9 Doves, 3 Princes, 1 President, 1 Chipmunk and 1 HS.125. I see no prospect of reducing the cost while the technical demands on the fleet continue to grow.