asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why opportunity was not given to passengers waiting to fly to Australia and the Far East to be carried in the vacant seats of the specially chartered aircraft which carried the Minister of Civil Aviation on his recent visit to Australia and the Far East, in order to reduce the cost of this trip and in view of the long list of persons awaiting air passage to that part of the world.

No seats were available.

Is it not a fact that in reply to previous Questions asked on this matter, an indication was given that the aircraft was not full and that seats were available, and, that being the case, how comes it that we receive this reply today?

The determining load factor in an aircraft flying from this country to Australia is the sector from Karachi to Singapore. As far as that sector was concerned, the aircraft was fully loaded.

Can the Minister say how many passengers there were?

I would like notice of that Question. I think there were six or seven, but I am not quite certain.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what tenders were received from Charter Companies by B.O.A.C., and for what amount, to carry the Minister of Civil Aviation on his recent visit to Australia and the Far East.

None, Sir.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary mean that no quotations were given to the B.O.A.C., which is a chartered company, for this trip, and, if not, why not?

In air transport, as in all other businesses, there are generally accepted prices and practices. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."]The prices determining the cost of aircraft are its operating costs, landing charges and demurrage. These charges are well known.

Is it not a fact that tenders were given many thousands of pounds lower than the actual cost of this trip, and will the Parliamentary Secretary go into that and check his facts?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say how many journeys for a similar purpose, and at what cost, were organised for Ministers in the preceding Government?

I have not that information at the moment.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether it is an accepted practice in air transport to leave a seat empty between London and Karachi because it will be filled from Karachi to Singapore?

No, if the passengers are through passengers the aircraft has to fly light between London and Karachi. Sometimes it is possible to take a passenger from London to Karachi if one is picking up a passenger at Karachi.