§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current strength of the Merchant Navy Reserve; and how many of its members are now on service in the Gulf.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Merchant Navy Reserve is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport, and I have been asked to reply.
The current strength of the Reserve is 301. None of its members have been called out for service in the Gulf, but it is understood that one of them happens to be serving on a ship in the area.