§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence which civilians have been transported to the Falkland Islands by his Department since the re-occupation of the islands; what financial arrangements have been made for such transportation; and for how long he envisages such arrangements will continue.
§ Mr. Wiggin:Civilian passages by sea or air to the Falkland Islands are provided by MOD chartered ships or RAF transport aircraft if spare capacity can be made available in the light of over-riding military priorities for freight or personnel. A number of Falkland Islands civilians and their dependants and other civilians on defence or other important Government business have been moved in this way during the last four months. In line with Government accounting requirements, civilians travelling in MOD chartered ships of RAF aircraft are generally charged the equivalent commercial rate for the journey. In exceptional cases, such as those which have applied in the Falkland Islands, a lower charge is made. It is too early to say how long the present travel arrangements will continue.