§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total payment made to private shipowners for the requisition or charter of ships in the course of the Falkland Islands war; and if he will list the costs for and owners of each ship concerned.
§ Mr. BlakerThe full cost of ships requisitioned or chartered for the Falkland Islands operation is not yet known. As at 31 October 1982 the total payment to the owners of the ships for the requisition and charter of ships and associated running costs, amounted to about £120 million. A further £29 million was paid to the owners of the ships for stores and supplies provided by them and for compensation for their consequential losses. Costs for individual ships and owners are commercial-in-confidence between Her Majesty's Government and the owners concerned.