§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the reduction in capacity in(a) general freight carriage and (b) carriage of post when Tristar flights to the Falklands are reduced. [79808]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe reduction in the number of RAF Tristar flights to the Falkland Islands from 7 to 6 per lunar month is likely to have some impact on freight capacity, but the precise details have yet to be determined. The greater payload of the improved Tristar aircraft and the take up of spare capacity on other air and sea movements should help offset any reduction in total freight capacity between the UK and Falklands. We do not expect there to be any reduction in capacity to carry mail or other high priority freight.