§ 21. Mr. Woodallasked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made in 1979 for Her Majesty's Royal Marines participation in Exercise Clockwork; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Duffy45 Commando Group together with elements of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and a detachment of 845 Naval Air Squadron have deployed to North Norway in January each year since 1972 for a three month period of training known as Clockwork. Last year 42 Commando Group also deployed to Norway on Mainspring and this year, in addition to 42 and 45 Commandos with artillery, engineer, logistic and helicopter support, HQ 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines will also deploy to Norway for three months training known as Pendulum.
Thus by April of this year, a complete Royal Marines Brigade of 2 Commandos plus support will be trained and equipped 456W for mountain and Arctic warfare so that they may undertake, in the most efficient manner, their operational commitment to the defence of NATO's northern flank. The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps have also increased the number of their forces trained in mountain and Arctic warfare.