Written question asked by Lynne Jones (Labour) on Friday, 28 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 April 2003. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 10 April 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many days (a) food rations and (b) water supplies are loaded on the RFA Sir Galahad; and how many people he estimates will be provided with shelter from the vessels supplies. - Includes figures.

Answer: Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many days (a) food rations and (b) water supplies are loaded on the RFA Sir Galahad; and how many people he estimates will be provided with shelter from the vessels supplies. [106603] Mr. Ingram: On 28 March 2003, RFA Sir Galahad delivered some 300 tonnes of humanitarian aid at Umm Qasr, Iraq. The load included 100 tonnes of bottled water and 187 tonnes of food. This has been, and will continue to be distributed, as required, across an expanding area of operations. It is not accurate, therefore, to characterise the amount as `days of supplies'. However, a large number of people in southern Iraq will benefit from the delivery. Also, as part of humanitarian aid emergency packs, the load carried two and a half tonnes of blankets and half a tonne of plastic sheeting (normally intended to shelter the supplies, if required). None of this was specifically to provide shelter nor has this been found to be a particular requirement.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 106603; 403 c352W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed conflict Development aid Humanitarian aid Iraq Food Water Iraq conflict RFA Sir Galahad
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk