HC Deb 02 June 1992 vol 208 c530W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many submarine service trainees are currently awaiting part III training berths in submarines; how many have been waiting for over six months; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce the backlog.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Of the 359 ratings currently undergoing part III training, 100 are currently awaiting billets at sea; 12 have been waiting for a sea billet for more than six months. Measures that have been taken to improve this situation are:

  1. (a) Additional time within the submarine programme has been allocated to part III training;
  2. (b) Part III training is now also carried out in submarines in harbour;
  3. (c) Part III training is now co-ordinated centrally and is given a higher priority in all submarines' programmes.