HC Deb 12 February 1992 vol 203 cc514-5W
Mr. Robert G. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future command of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The command of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is to be simplified. The commander in chief, fleet, will in future exercise full command of the RFA in peace as well as war, making him responsible for ensuring that the RFA maintains the high levels of operational performance required to operate effectively in the front line in close support of warships. He will be supported by a senior RFA officer and a staff of RFA and other civilian personnel.

The RFA will remain a civilian organisation and these changes will not affect the conditions of service of RFA personnel. RFA vessels will continue to wear the blue ensign and will be manned by Merchant Navy officers and ratings. Responsibility for such issues as pay, conditions of service, recruitment and initial training will remain with the chief of fleet support and be discharged on his behalf by the director general of supplies and transport (naval).

It is planned to implement these changes by April 1993 and there will be full consultation with the trade unions involved. The new command arrangements will ensure that the RFA continues to make the vital contribution to our overall defence effort of which its personnel are rightly proud.