§ Mr. Juddasked the Minister of State for Defence, whether he will undertake a study of Operation Annunciata, recently mounted in Portsmouth by 12 naval officer candidates at H.M.S. "St. George", with a view to extending the opportunities for this sort of community service by naval personnel and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BuckOperation Annunciata formed part of a standard series of exercises designed to test and develop the initiative, leadership and managerial qualities of the special duties officer candidates undergoing training at HMS "St. George". The candidates are required to devise a task which can be completed within 24 hours and which is both challenging to themselves and beneficial to the community. This particular operation involved work on the garden and repairs and decoration to part of the home of Sister Annunciata of the Order of the Ladies of Mary which she uses as a temporary children's home. It was a complete success. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I fully appreciate the value of this type of community service and a full report on the success of Operation Annunciata has been prepared. Similar exercises have already been carried out by HMS "St. George" and212W will continue to form part of the training programme. Other naval establishments also encourage their personnel to undertake community service activities, which range from help to the old and disabled to assistance to charities.