HC Deb 13 February 1992 vol 203 cc633-4W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his future plans for the Dartmouth training squadron; how trainees will gain seagoing experience; and what effect these arrangements will have on the effectiveness of operational Royal Navy ships.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The sea going training provided in the Dartmouth training squadron will be replaced by initial sea training—IST—with effect from spring 1992. Young officers will undertake IST in type 22 batch I frigates which have been modified to provide the extra accommodation required. The operational effectiveness of the ships will be maintained in between officer training periods by their normal ships' companies.