§ Lord KENNETasked Her Majesty's Government:
What new legal and other training is being given to naval officers now that their responsibilities may include acting as "constables-on-the-beat" offshore and carrying out arrests as necessary throughout the whole gamut of the criminal law.
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMThe police are responsible for dealing with crime on offshore installations, but where they lack the necessary resources they may ask the Armed Forces to assist. There is nothing new in this traditional duty of the Armed Forces to assist the Civil Power. The powers of arrest of a Naval officer in this respect are those of any other citizen. The training of Naval officers is continually under review and, against the background of the growing importance of fishery protection and offshore installations, a study has recently been set in hand to consider the training currently given in International Maritime Law. Exercises at sea are held regularly to provide experience in offshore operations, and exercises in "Aid to the Civil Power" form part of the basic operational training given to ships' companies.