§ Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on undermanning in the Royal Marines. [20633]
§ Mr. IngramThe Royal Marines continue to be challenged by overall undermanning of about 6 per cent., although recruiting is meeting current targets, retention rates need to be improved and a range of measures are in hand to achieve this. We are confident that the Royal Marine forces deployed on operations will be manned to the appropriate level for any likely task arising.