HC Deb 31 January 1966 vol 723 c160W
61. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Portugal has been invited to allow the transportation of oil by rail from Angola to Zambia; with what result; and approximately what financial saving would accrue as compared with transporting the same quantity of oil by air from Dar-es-Salaam.

Mr. George Thomson

The supply of oil to Zambia by surface routes is the responsibility of the Zambian Government, but we understand that some oil for Zambia will shortly be transported through Angola to Zambia, though the possibilities are limited by technical difficulties.

No financial saving will accrue at present since all supply routes including the air lift are required to build up adequate stocks in Zambia.