HC Deb 16 December 1952 vol 509 cc181-2W
155. Mr. Follick

asked the Secretary of State for War the estimated saving of man days of troop movements to and from the Middle East, Malaya and Korea. when carried out by air instead of by sea.

Mr. Head

The saving is about 25 days for Malaya and 30 days for Korea: for the Middle East, it is some 10 days for the Canal Zone and elsewhere it varies.

158. Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is able to make a comparison of the relative costs of conveying troops between the United Kingdom and overseas stations by air, as compared with the usual method of sea transport; and what considerations have to be borne in mind in making the comparison.

Mr. Head

It is difficult to make an overall direct comparison between the costs of trooping by air and by sea. Many varying factors apply in each case. Among the most important are distance, availability of shipping and suitable aircraft, the volume and frequency of movements, the movement of families and of unaccompanied baggage, and the differing costs of food and accommodation in transit. Other important calculations, which do not affect the direct cost, include the saving in soldiers' time spent on travel and the need for a reserve of troopships and of civil aircraft for war.

21. Mr. Follick

asked the Secretary of State for War the estimated financial saving of troop movements to and from the Middle East, Malaya and Korea, when carried out by air instead of by sea.

Mr. Head

For Malaya and Korea the cost by air is higher than by troopship. There is little difference between the cost of air and sea trooping to the Middle East.