§ 8. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations why he authorised public expenditure for transporting oil to Zambia without first satisfying himself that it fell within any Vote for any Department.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe expenditure on the oil lift to Zambia was necessary and urgent and I considered that it could not be delayed while the question of which Vote should bear the cost was settled.
§ 9. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will set a ceiling to expenditure on the Zambia airlift and other commitments arising out of sanctions against Rhodesia.
§ Mr. BottomleyI do not consider it practicable at this stage to set a fixed ceiling to expenditure on the Zambian airlift or other commitments arising out of sanctions against Rhodesia.
§ 10. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what charges are being made by the Government of Zambia for Royal Air Force air craft carrying oil to land in that country.
§ Mr. BottomleyNone.
§ 11. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what charges for rent are being made against Royal Air Force personnel stationed in Zambia by the Government of that country.
§ Mr. BottomleyNone.
§ Brigadier Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what the oil lift to Zambia, including air transport and fighter planes, has cost to date; and how much this works out per gallon.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe cost of the British civil and Royal Air Force airlifts into Zambia, up to 22nd February, the latest date for which figures are at present available, was about £1.7 million. No fighter452W planes are engaged in the airlift of oil into Zambia. I regret I am not able to elaborate on this information.