FUTURE OF THE ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY

That this House is concerned at the substantial cuts proposed for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) fleet; notes that the RFA is Britain's essential supply service to the Royal Navy and recognises that the service also demonstrates unrivalled technical expertise through training, the deployment of ships in peacekeeping and humanitarian tasks around the world, in addition to its work in combating piracy and drug smuggling; acknowledges that the RFA also plays a very significant role in underpinning UK maritime skills; further notes that in addition to the planned loss of ships under the Strategic Defence and Security Review, a value for money exercise is also being undertaken that could mean a further 10 per cent. cut in ships and crew numbers; and therefore urges the Government to protect the Royal Fleet Auxiliary from these proposed cuts which threaten to undermine this lifeline service to the Royal Navy.