To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many units of (a) blood platelets and (b) blood plasma transported to Iraq for use by the armed forces were destroyed because they were past their use-by date in each year since 2003; and if he will make a statement. (262568)

Records held by the MOD reflect the difference between the amount of blood supplied to operations and the amount transfused. From August 2007 to the end of February 2009, the difference between the amount of blood supplied to Iraq and the amount transfused was 396 units of blood platelets and five units of fresh frozen plasma. Each unit contains approximately 300 ml. There are a number of reasons for this difference, for example expiration of the use-by date, damage in transit or accidental exposure to high temperature.

Prior to August 2007, information was not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.