asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been reached about bringing the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service into the Royal Navy.

The manning of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service was last reviewed two years ago. It was decided not to change the present arrangement. Naval manning would not only cost more money but would require some 5,000 extra men from Vote A. In any case this is essentially a Merchant Navy task, most efficiently performed at present by civilian crews.