§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many foreign nationals there are in vessels (a) in the task force and (b) in support of the force; and what proportion are volunteers.
§ Mr. BlakerCurrently there are some 225 foreign nationals serving in support of the task force as crew members aboard SS "Uganda", all of whom are volunteers. In addition there are some 60 Chinese personnel in Royal Navy ships in the task force providing laundry and similar services, and about 480 Chinese crewmen serving with the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries. These personnel were recruited from Hong Kong although it is not possible in the time available to establish whether they are all citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies. Those serving with the RFAs are operating under their normal terms of service, and those serving with Royal Navy ships are volunteers.