Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of the Royal Navy’s personnel are shore-based.

While deployed personnel serve around the world to counter threats, offer aid and save lives, all of our shore-based personnel also work in support of the fleet. Personnel rotate periodically through shore and sea-based posts. I am withholding the breakdown for the purpose of safeguarding operational security.

Following a 2020 transformation programme, we are confident that we have the right balance of people at sea and ashore to ensure operational outputs.