ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY

Early day motion 896, tabled 27 June 2000 by Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour). Signed by 30 members.

That this House regrets the dispute that has arisen between ratings and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; notes that ratings suffer from inferior shore leave to that enjoyed by officers; recognises that despite the industrial action short of strike action being undertaken - only when vessels are securely moored in safe berths - ships involved in military conflict and humanitarian actions, such as Sierra Leone, have been exempted from such action; regrets the threat that ratings may be subjected to deductions from pay or ordered to leave their ships if it is decided by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary not to accept partial performance of duties; calls upon the Secretary of State for Defence to withdraw the threat of such actions; and urges a speedy resolution of the dispute so that ratings are offered parity of leave with officers.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Liberal Democrat 4, Labour/Co-operative 2.