LORD TEYNHAMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the Admiralty's future plans for the Royal Marine Commandos.]
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (LORD CARRINGTON)My Lords, it has been decided to form a fifth Royal Marine Commando as a further contribution to our Amphibious Forces. The new commando—No. 43—will start to form in September at Stone-house Barracks, Plymouth. We are considering whether to modernise these barracks to provide up-to-date accommodation. This unit will bring the number of commandos up to a total of five as compared with the three which were in existence up until two years' ago.
The decision announced in my Explanatory Statement on this year's Navy Estimates to commission a second commando carrier has strengthened the case for having five commandos available in support as quickly as possible. 725 It is likely that three of the commandos will normally be stationed outside the United Kingdom.
LORD TEYNHAMMy Lords, arising out of the reply of the noble Lord, the First Lord of the Admiralty, I should like to ask him whether the proposed formation of a Fifth Commando will mean an overall increase in Royal Marine numbers?
§ LORD CARRINGTONNo, my Lords. The men for the Fifth Commando will be found from reorganisation within the Corps, primarily from centralisation of some of the administration and the training.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, may I ask on this subject whether there is likely to be any reconsideration of the steps taken up to now with regard to promotions of officer ranks in the Royal Marine commandos? I think there has been some dissatisfaction that skilled people, who have been quite a long time in the commandos, have had no opportunities at all even to get their majority. If extending the commando section of the Royal Marines means that those men are going to be reconsidered out of their great experience, and not thrown away at the rank of captain, I shall be very pleased.
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I must say that I am rather surprised that the noble Viscount, the Leader of the Opposition, should raise this point. This is the first I have heard of any dissatisfaction. If he would let me know of any cases, I will most certainly look into them.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, may I, as one who has had great admiration since 1940, when I was personally associated with the Royal Marines, for this most distinguished Corps of men, welcome the formation of this new unit and wish it every success? May I ask when it is assumed that this commando will be effective?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord for what he has said. The second commando carrier will commission sometime during next year, and we hope the commando will be ready by then.