To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason civilian passengers have to bear the loss of seats on flights to and from the Falkland Islands when a change of aircraft results in reduction in the total number of seats.

The Ministry of Defence has agreed with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that capacity will be provided for civilian passengers on flights to the Falkland Islands, subject to overriding military requirements. When a change of aircraft is necessary which entails a reduction in the total number of seats, military requirements may dictate that civilian passengers should be off-loaded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the delayed or diverted flights on which seats were for sale to civilians to and from the Falkland Islands in 1991 and to date, in 1992.

Flights to the Falkland Islands on which seats were for sale to civilians from 1 January 1991 to 28 February 1992 and which arrived more than two hours late at RAF Mount Pleasant, or were diverted, are listed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason 27 civilian fare passengers were removed from the Falklands bound flight on Monday 24 February.

The aircraft earmarked for the Falkland Islands flight on 24 February became unserviceable shortly prior to the scheduled departure time. It had to be replaced with an aircraft offering less capacity and, consequently, some passengers and all freight had to be re-booked to the next flight.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account is taken of the effect on civilian morale when civilian passengers only are delayed for 24 hours or more on flights to and from the Falkland Islands; and if he will make it his policy to ensure such passengers are kept informed about progress on their flight.

Any delays on flights to the Falkland Islands are regretted whether they affect civilian or military passengers. In such circumstances the staff do all that they can to mitigate the impact of the delay. When the time permits, civilian passengers are notified of delays via the Falkland Islands Government office. Otherwise they are briefed by the RAF movements staff at the reporting airfield, or en route, as appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what increase in total costs was incurred by the use of Britannia Airways to provide flights to and from the Falkland Islands during the Gulf war.

The information is commercially confidential.