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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Blair Force One' plans scrapped | 'Blair Force One' plans scrapped |
| (3 days later) | |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has scrapped plans to buy two private jets to fly him and the Royal Family around the world, the government has said. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has scrapped plans to buy two private jets to fly him and the Royal Family around the world, the government has said. |
| Instead, only a small plane for use around the UK will be purchased. | Instead, only a small plane for use around the UK will be purchased. |
| The original plan, put forward in 2006 when Tony Blair was prime minister, had been expected to cost £100m. | The original plan, put forward in 2006 when Tony Blair was prime minister, had been expected to cost £100m. |
| The decision not to buy the jets - nicknamed "Blair Force One" - was disclosed in a written statement to MPs by the Department for Transport. | The decision not to buy the jets - nicknamed "Blair Force One" - was disclosed in a written statement to MPs by the Department for Transport. |
| It said there had been "substantial increases in the cost of buying and operating commercial aircraft" since the idea was first raised. | It said there had been "substantial increases in the cost of buying and operating commercial aircraft" since the idea was first raised. |
| It also pointed out that the new Ministerial Code - introduced by Mr Brown when he entered No 10 last summer - sets out that scheduled flights should be used wherever possible. | It also pointed out that the new Ministerial Code - introduced by Mr Brown when he entered No 10 last summer - sets out that scheduled flights should be used wherever possible. |
| 'Value for money' | 'Value for money' |
| Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "I am today recommending that the needs of the users of this service can best be met through procuring a small aircraft for official travel within the UK, chartered air services for longer journeys involving small parties, and a continuation of existing arrangements with UK airlines for journeys involving large parties. | Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "I am today recommending that the needs of the users of this service can best be met through procuring a small aircraft for official travel within the UK, chartered air services for longer journeys involving small parties, and a continuation of existing arrangements with UK airlines for journeys involving large parties. |
| "This approach ensures better value for money for the taxpayer whilst also minimising the environmental impact of royal and ministerial air travel, producing an estimated 10% saving on CO2 emissions." | "This approach ensures better value for money for the taxpayer whilst also minimising the environmental impact of royal and ministerial air travel, producing an estimated 10% saving on CO2 emissions." |
| Blair Force One was simply an expensive status symbol Norman Baker, Lib Dems | Blair Force One was simply an expensive status symbol Norman Baker, Lib Dems |
| The Royal Household will be responsible for procuring the small plane. | The Royal Household will be responsible for procuring the small plane. |
| Mr Blair is believed to have endorsed the proposal for two dedicated jets - a Boeing 737 and smaller executive jet - as one of his last acts in office. | Mr Blair is believed to have endorsed the proposal for two dedicated jets - a Boeing 737 and smaller executive jet - as one of his last acts in office. |
| Mr Brown, as chancellor, was widely believed to have opposed the move, complaining at the cost of permanent lease arrangements. | Mr Brown, as chancellor, was widely believed to have opposed the move, complaining at the cost of permanent lease arrangements. |
| Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "Blair Force One was simply an expensive status symbol to be paid for out of the public purse. | Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "Blair Force One was simply an expensive status symbol to be paid for out of the public purse. |
| "That it has now been cancelled perhaps shows that the government is starting to reel in the worst of its excesses." | "That it has now been cancelled perhaps shows that the government is starting to reel in the worst of its excesses." |