HC Deb 26 April 1985 vol 77 cc563-4W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of sending two staff cars to the Falklands; and how many miles of metalled road they will be used upon in the Islands.

Mr. Stanley

I understand that the cost would be approximately £700 but no staff cars have been sent to the Falklands and there are no present plans to send any.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 22 April, Official Report, column 386, if the cost to be charged by British Airways for the transportation of troops to the Falkland Islands is less than the current cost to his Department, when the effect of the completion of the airport runway is taken into account.

901 Mr. Stanley

A direct cost comparison is not possible. As I said to the hon. Member in my reply on 22 April it is not possible to separate the cost of moving military personnel and freight from that of civilian personnel and freight, and this applies to the cost of movements by both air and sea.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis British Airways has been awarded a contract to transport troops to the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Stanley

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) on 30 October 1984 at c.932. As I said to the hon. Member in my reply of the 17 April, discussions with British Airways are being concluded for the award of a six-month contract for the carriage of passengers and freight by wide-bodied aircraft to Mount Pleasant airport from next month.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian personnel have been transported to the Falkland Islands in each month since January 1984; what charges have been made for this transport; and by whom such cost is met.

Mr. Stanley

Central records are not maintained in this form. The level of charge, if any, will depend on the category of the passenger. The costs may be met by the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the individual's employer or the individual himself.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the nature, tonnage and cost of all civilian freight transported to the Falkland Islands in the last year; and what charges were made for the cost of transportation.

Mr. Stanley

This information is not available within the Department and could not be assembled except at disproportionate cost.