§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Prime Minister what was the cost to public funds of flying by Nimrod aircraft petrol filters to Virgin Atlantic Challenger on 29 June; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanI have been asked to reply.
The petrol filters were dropped by an RAF Nimrod in the course of an operational training sortie which had already been planned. RAF equipment used for the drop was recovered and has been returned for re-use. The delivery of the filters involved no extra costs to public funds.