HC Deb 13 November 1953 vol 520 c99W
Lieut.-Commander Hutchison

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will make a statement on the recruitment and training of the Royal Naval Minewatching Service, indicating, in particular, which areas are up to strength and which areas are appreciably deficient in recruits.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

The numbers enrolled in each command, expressed as a percentage of full peace-time complements (which vary substantially between one command and another) are as follows:

per cent.
Portsmouth 96
Plymouth 24
The Nore 33
Scotland 17½

Regular instruction is now given to minewatching units at more than 80 training centres throughout the country. Many minewatching service officers and chief minewatchers have completed a technical course in H.M.S. "Vernon." Exercises are arranged as opportunity permits and have been held this year at Portsmouth, Portland, Harwich, Rosyth, Greenock and Liverpool. There was also an important minewatching phase of the recent N.A.T.O. Exercise "Mariner."