§ 91. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, what was the cost of providing 100 new lorries for transport of oil between Tanzania and Zambia; and of which Vote it will be borne.
§ Mr. BottomleyIt would not be in the public interest to make public details of our help to Zambia's contingency planning at this time. Following the return of my hon. Friends from Zambia the question of the Vote, or Votes, on which contingency aid to Zambia will be borne is under consideration.
§ 92. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, to what length of time the £3,500,000 airlift to Zambia relates; and how much oil will be transported there for that expenditure.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe answer to the first part of this Question is that the duration of the airlift will depend on the course of events, and that the cost has not been fixed at £3,500,000. The answer to the second part is that it is not in the public interest to give this information.
§ Mr. Cooperasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, what is the estimated weekly cost of the oil lift to Zambia; and who is to meet this cost.
§ Mr. BottomleyIt is not yet practicable to estimate this cost. Her Majesty's Government are bearing the cost of the British airlift by both R.A.F. and civil aircraft.