Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many UK military personnel are engaged in relief efforts in (1) the British Overseas Territories, and (2) other Commonwealth nations, impacted by Hurricane Irma.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The Ministry of Defence is providing significant support to the relief efforts in the Caribbean following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma. As at 21 September 2017, there are 543 UK military personnel in the British Overseas Territories of the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands. 671 personnel are in the Commonwealth nation of Barbados.
In addition there are 207 military personnel on RFA MOUNTS BAY, which was pre-positioned in the region ready for the hurricane season. HMS OCEAN arrived in the British Virgin Islands on Friday 22 September with an additional 632 personnel to support relief efforts.