§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has been the cost of the air lift to Berlin to date; what is the present cost per week; and how much of these, respectively, is being paid by the British taxpayer.
§ Mr. MayhewThe extra cost to the Exchequer up to 26th October of the Berlin air lift is approximately £2,300,000. The cost per week varies according to the number of sorties, which depends to some extent on the weather, but the average weekly cost during October was about £185,000. I regret12W that we have no information as to the costs met by the Government of the United States.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who supplies the coal for the Berlin air lift; and from what countries does it come.
§ Mr. MayhewAll the coal supplied to Berlin by air is from Western Germany. It is flown in by British and American aircraft.