HC Deb 24 October 1967 vol 751 cc417-8W
44. Sir R. Russell

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give an estimate of the extra cost which would be incurred and the time which would be lost by flying supersonic aircraft between the Continent and the United States of America at a subsonic speed while they are passing over the British Isles, or alternatively routing them round the north of Scotland.

Mr. Benn

Both factors would vary with different airlines and different supersonic aircraft. Up to 40 minutes could be lost by flying Concord at subsonic speed over the British Isles and up to 20 minutes by rerouting over the sea. The increase in operating costs would be of the order of 5 per cent.