§ Mr. Lawlerasked the Prime Minister if she will give an estimate of the cost of all air fares paid for by Her Majesty's Government in 1983 for journeys between London and New York.
§ The Prime MinisterThe cost of air fares paid for by Her Majesty's Government in 1983 for journeys between London and New York is of the order of £60,000. I regret that a more precise figure could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Lawlerasked the Prime Minister how much money would have been saved if each flight paid for by Her Majesty's Government between London and New York in 1983 had been booked(a) with the British commercial carrier offering the lowest price at the time each flight was made, and (b) with the British commercial carrier currently offering the lowest price.
§ The Prime MinisterI regret that the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Lawlerasked the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's current policy regarding the choice of carrier for flights paid for by Her Majesty's Government between London and New York.
§ The Prime MinisterHer Majesty's Government policy is to require Ministers and civil servants to travel by British airlines on all official journeys overseas by air, unless to do so would impose unreasonable delay or would otherwise not be in the public interest.