§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current cost of transporting troops to the Falkland Islands; and under what section of the Government's White paper on expenditure, Cmnd. 9428, it is accounted for;
(2) what savings will accrue in the cost of transporting troops to the Falkland Islands from the completion of the runway at Mount Pleasant; and when such savings will begin.
§ Mr. StanleyI will answer shortly.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with British Airways concerning the transportation of troops to the Falkland Islands; what will be the cost charged by British Airways; if his Department will meet all such costs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyDiscussions with British Airways are being concluded for the award of a six-month contract for the carriage of passengers and freight by wide-bodied aircraft to Mount Pleasant airport from next month. It is206W not the practice to disclose the cost of individual contracts for reasons of commercial confidentiality. The costs of the contract will be met by the Ministry of Defence.