HC Deb 24 July 1973 vol 860 cc336-9W
Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will undertake a study of the significance of prolonged separation from wives and family for morale and welfare of Royal Navy personnel serving at sea and their families as compared with conditions of service in the other Armed Services; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Buck

The work of Lord Seebohm's Naval Welfare Committee has included a study by eminent specialists in this field into the psychological effects of separation, with particular reference to naval personnel and their families. In addition, the committee itself has drawn on comparison with the other Services and, if there are any lessons to be learnt, appropriate recommendations will no doubt feature in the committee's report which I expect to receive very shortly.

Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will take immediate steps to improve the mail service for Royal Navy personnel involved in patrols necessitated by the Icelandic fishing dispute, if necessary by introducing regular mail delivery by containers dropped from aircraft as happens on the Beira Patrol.

Mr. Buck

It is our aim to provide a mail delivery to these ships at least once every week, and so far this aim has been achieved, with additional deliveries being made as opportunity offers. Mail has been dropped from the air on occasion but, because of the weather conditions frequently prevailing around Iceland, this cannot be regarded as a suitable method for regular deliveries.

Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will undertake a review of the availability of married quarters for Royal Navy personnel and their families; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Buck

We keep the requirement for and the provision of married quarters for Royal Navy personnel and their families under continual review. There are currently over 15,000 naval married quarters, of which 1,750 have been completed since July 1971. A programme is now in hand to provide approximately 4,000 more married quarters of which about 550 are expected to be completed this year and about 900 in 1974.

Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will take steps to bring advance notice of drafting for Royal Navy personnel serving at sea into line with that for those in shore establishments who are to be sent to sea; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Buck

The procedure governing the notice of drafts for men already at sea begins with the consideration of those who will be relieving them. A rating detailed for sea service is normally given five months' notice of draft. This allows time to calculate the date on which the rating he is relieving will be available for his next draft, and for up-to-date information to be obtained about his drafting preference; the aim is then to issue his draft order at three months' notice. To make the notice of short drafts longer would increase the element of uncertainty and reduce the chances of individual preferences being met.

Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of grants from special funds established by the Royal Navy after the abolition of the tot with special reference to the availability of any such grant-aided facilities to all Royal Navy personnel.

Mr. Buck

When the spirit ration was abolished compensation of £2.7 million was paid to found a trust for the benefit of naval ratings and Royal Marine other ranks known as the Sailors' Fund. Its resources are allocated by a grants committee, the majority of whom are ratings and other ranks, and, in accordance with its recommendations, a wide variety of grants have been made in aid of recreational and social facilities in ships and at naval establishments. The policy of the grants committee has been to use the money in such a way as to benefit the maximum number of ratings and other ranks.

Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of specialist personnel and facilities available to the resettlement service of the Royal Navy; what steps he is taking to improve this service; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Buck

The main function of the Royal Naval resettlement organisation is to ensure that resettlement advice reaches personnel in its fullest form and well in advance of their date of discharge. To this end naval resettlement information officers are based in the main areas of naval concentration.

A wide range of courses including those run by the other Services is available to individuals leaving the Service, as well as counselling by highly qualified civilian experts. The courses are under constant review and are being steadily increased in number.

We aim to ensure that every ship is provided with sufficient resettlement information so that personnel are aware of the advice and training facilities available. This information is channelled through the ships' resettlement information officers.

The fullest use is of course made of the facilities provided by the Department of Employment.

Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a progress report on arrangements to introduce a new uniform for ratings in the Royal Navy, with particular reference to the likelihood of providing a jacket, shirt, collar and tie uniform for all ratings at least for non-ceremonial occasions.

Mr. Buck

Trials of three styles of uniform which are being considered as possible replacements for "square rig" are in progress in the Fleet. A design incorporating jacket and trousers worn with a white shirt and collar and black tie is included. The trials are due to be completed at the end of August, but until the results have been analysed and studied it is not possible to say what changes may result.

Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will take immediate steps to improve the availability of indulgence passages to the Far East for wives and families of Royal Navy personnel serving there.

Mr. Buck

Indulgence passages are allowed in spare seats that may be available at short notice in RAF trooping aircraft after all duty passengers have been provided for.

Wives and families of all Service men are accorded priority in the allocation of these passages. Service wives wishing to visit their husbands from whom they are separated by posting or long periods of detached duty abroad are given highest priority after Service commitments have been met.