HL Deb 15 January 1986 vol 469 cc1153-4WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportions of the merchant ships earmarked by Her Majesty's Government for the reinforcement of the Central Front in the event of crisis or war are:—

  1. (a) British flag vessels
  2. (b) all-British owned
  3. (c) all-British officered
  4. (d) all-British crewed

Lord Trefgarne

Present plans envisage that all ships taken up by Her Majesty's Government for reinforcement from the United Kingdom to the Central Front in crisis or war will be British flag.

Answers to the other parts of the Question could only be provided at disproportionate cost. It can however be stated that all the ships concerned are under substantial British ownership, all key officer posts are held by British officers, and the crews are predominantly British.