Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many British emergency services personnel are being deployed to assist in the aftermath of hurricane Irma; where those personnel will be deployed; and what range of assistance they will provide.

We now have almost 700 military personnel, over 50 police, and a senior search and rescue adviser from the UK’s fire and rescue services in the Caribbean region to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. DFID has sent over 18 humanitarian and logistics advisers in the region, including humanitarian advisers in Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands, where they are supporting Governors and local authorities.

All UK personnel are deployed as part of a coordinated cross-Government response, bringing together military, aid, and consular effort. Across the affected area, our personnel have delivered urgent humanitarian relief, assisted in restoring vital infrastructure, and supported local institutions in maintaining law and order. We will continue to work closely with our advisors on the ground and with the Overseas Territories governments to deploy our specialists where they are most needed.

The Government will continue to do all it can to support those affected. Further details of our work are available on our website.