§ Mr. Carmichael:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of merchant ships chartered by his Department to support allied efforts in the 2003 Iraq war (a) were over 20-years-old and (b) flew the red ensign. [140675]
§ Mr. Ingram:Some 37 per cent. of merchant ships chartered in support of the Iraq campaign were over 20-years-old. Some 31 per cent. of ships chartered flew the Red Ensign.