§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent changes his Department has made to the hours and shifts worked by service personnel acting as guards on(a) HMS Raleigh, (b) HMS Drake and (c) Stonehouse barracks. [17939]
§ Mr. SoamesThere have been no recent changes to the hours and shifts for service personnel on guard duty at Stonehouse barracks or HMS Drake. At HMS Raleigh, the usual five-week shift pattern was replaced on 2 January 1997 by a four-week pattern to overcome a temporary manpower shortage. This will not increase the length of the normal 12-hour shifts—including stand-by time—and personnel will receive approximately two weeks' leave in every four weeks.