§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the comparative cost of a RAF aircraft trooping from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong via Gan and a charter aircraft trooping to Hong Kong via Colombo.
§ Mr. JohnIt is difficult to make a direct comparison of these costs since the cost of chartering aircraft would of course depend on the outcome of competitive tendering. A comparison is also made more difficult by the fact that the civil aircraft currently suitable for this type of charter task has a greater passenger carrying capability than the RAF VC10. However, on a passenger carrying basis, it is estimated that the cost per head is broadly comparable.