To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the assistance of the Royal Navy has been requested by individuals whose vessels have been involved in incidents of piracy or attempted piracy in the last three years. (259564)

[holding answer 27 February 2009]: There are no records held centrally of the Royal Navy having received any direct requests for assistance by individuals whose vessels have been involved in incidents of piracy or attempted piracy.

However, RN vessels have responded to incidents through recognized channels in the Gulf of Aden, acting on behalf of the international counter-piracy operations. Comprehensive statistics are not available.