Asked by: Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the appropriateness of Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel being employed as members of the Civil Service.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Navy has launched the RFA35 programme to determine the long-term future of the RFA, defining its purpose, size, function and optimal crewing model to meet future requirements. RFA35 will also consider options for the future status of RFA personnel. Negotiations on pay and other issues are ongoing to resolve the current dispute with trade unions and will provide a foundation for RFA35.