§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) in view of the fact that the cost of premium grade petrol is 4s. 2d. a gallon and of ordinary grades 3s. 10½d. a gallon to motorists and consumers in Zambia, what account he is taking of petrol prices in Zambia in his negotiations with the Zambian Government about the supply of petrol to that country;
(2) what has been the cost to date to the British Exchequer of the airlift and other arrangements for transporting petrol to Zambia since the unilateral declaration of independence by Rhodesia, in total and per gallon.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe British civil airlift which ended on 29th May cost £2.2 million. The R.A.F. airlift cost £2.2 million up to 15th June, the latest date for which figures are available.
47WBritain has also contributed nearly £4 million to the development of new surface routes into Zambia but the Zambian Government is responsible for the transportation of petrol on these routes. In view of the many complex factors involved, it would be misleading to make any calculations on a cost per gallon basis.
All relevant factors have been taken account of in assessing the question of British assistance to Zambia.
§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) what is the present difference between the selling price and the full landed cost of petrol brought into Zambia by all means for which the United Kingdom bears either a part or the whole of the financial responsibility;
(2) what he estimates the direct financial cost will be to the United Kingdom of the further measures of economic discrimination taken by the Government of Zambia against Rhodesia;
(3) what consultations the Government of Zambia had with him before embarking on further measures of economic discrimination against Rhodesia, which will have direct financial consequences for the United Kingdom; and whether he will list those measures which were agreed and those which were rejected by the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BottomleyBritish airlifts into Zambia cost £4.4 million up to 15th June. At that date they had carried approximately 15,500 tons of oil into Zambia. Because of the many complex factors involved, it would be misleading to use these figures to calculate the cost of petrol per gallon and to relate this cost to the selling price.
It is not possible to state the exact cost to the United Kingdom of economic sanctions imposed by the Zambians against Rhodesia. The steps so far taken by the Zambian Government to intensify sanctions against the illegal régime have been the subject of consultations between the Zambian Government and Her Majesty's Government. The Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations has returned to Lusaka to continue consultations and no further information can be given at present.