§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated total amount and cost of fuel used by aircraft in carrying members of the Royal Family to New Zealand for the Commonwealth Games, and back from Jakarta in mid-March.
§ Mr. YoungerHis Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh travelled to New Zealand in a VC10 aircraft of the Royal Air Force. Apart from members of the Royal Household the aircraft also carried Ministry of Defence duty passengers and freight. The aircraft consumed about 46,000 gallons of fuel en route at a cost of approximately £4,500. No other member of the Royal Family travelled to New Zealand in a Royal Air Force aircraft nor is there any plan for a Service aircraft to be used for the return journey in March.