asked the Minister for Transport and Power (a) the number of planes at present operated by Aer Lingus on the transatlantic route, (b) their initial cost, (c) their estimated life, (d) the number of new planes which have been or will be purchased for this route, (e) the cost of such purchases, and (f) the estimated life of such planes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aer Lingus Transatlantic Planes.
29.
Aerlinte has a fleet of three Boeing 720 aircraft in operation on the transatlantic route at present. The initial cost of the aircraft was £6.1 million, including development costs, and their estimated life for depreciation purposes is 12 years. The company has two Boeing 320 aircraft on order, one for delivery in June, 1964, the other in May, 1965, and the estimated life of these aircraft is also 12 years. One of these aircraft will be in substitution for one of the 720 aircraft at present in operation, which is being sold at its book value. The net additional cost will be met by repayable advances at normal borrowing rates or by a commercial loan. The estimated cost of the two new aircraft, including development costs, is £6.7 million.
The company has no proposals for the purchase of further aircraft at present.
Has the Minister official responsibility for the purchase of these planes?
Of course I have official responsibility but we have to consider the financial implications of the purchase.
Would the Minister tell me why he refused to answer the question I put down to him as to how many buses he had bought for CIE?
That is a separate question.
That is an entirely different matter.
It is not an entirely different matter. The Minister answered the question with regard to Aer Lingus and he is refusing to answer this question.