§ 78. Mr. Smallasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost involved in trooping by air from 1964 till the latest available date, and the respective allocation of cost between state-owned and independent airlines.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesPayments to civil operators for air trooping, including visits by school-children to parents serving overseas, since the beginning of 1964 total £43½ million; of this £8½ million has been paid to the state-owned airlines and the rest to independent operators.
Up to November, 1964, B.O.A.C. and B.E.A. were allowed to tender only for ad hoc charter trooping flights, but since that date they have been authorised to tender for long term trooping contracts as well and to offer seats on their scheduled services on a fill-up basis.
Excluding Germany, a large proportion of air trooping is now carried out by Royal Air Force Air Support Command and, as the strategic transport force builds up, this proportion will increase.