§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Government policy for the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service.
§ Dr. David OwenThe R.N. Auxiliary Service is a uniformed civilian force132W whose task is to provide naval support in war-time for Resident Naval Officers and Naval Officers-in-charge at ports and anchorages in the United Kingdom. Local units are raised and trained in peace-time at the ports concerned. Members attend for training once a week and are called for longer periods on exercises. The force, whose present strength is about 4,700 men, provides essential support for our war planning arrangements and I intend that it shall be maintained.