§ Mr. Burdenasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether recalled Royal Fleet reservists are employed in the Reserve Fleet: and on what duties they are employed.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasYes, a proportion of them are so employed. The recall of Royal Fleet Reservists was one of a number of measures to enable more ships to be put in commission and to enhance the state of readiness of the Reserve Fleet. The task of maintaining the Reserve Fleet remains as important as ever. This involves such unspectacular duties as 271W cleaning and painting ship, maintaining the equipment and helping in the domestic tasks which inevitably fall to any ship's company. Naval personnel employed in the Reserve Fleet are making as important a contribution to Naval strength as those employed in keeping Her Majesty's Ships at sea