HMS Albion and Bulwark's crews reassigned to other duties, minister confirms

All remaining HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark crew members have been reassigned to other naval duties following the decision to decommission the two Royal Navy amphibious assault ships.

Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle, responding to a written parliamentary question, confirmed: "All of the remaining crew from HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark have been reassigned: either to other platforms, to training courses or into other positions supporting the Royal Navy's highest priority outputs."

She also explained how a "small number" of Royal Navy personnel had been retained to manage onboard systems and safety until the final disposal of the two vessels.

• Former Royal Marines chief warns of capability gap after axing of HMS Albion and Bulwark
• HMS Albion and Bulwark to be axed as part of Healey's cost-cutting drive
• What makes HMS Albion and Bulwark special – and why Marines would miss them

HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark were both previously used as the Royal Navy's landing platform docks, designed to deliver the punch of the Royal Marines, landing them by sea or by air.

The two ships, which are 176 metres long, were capable of carrying four landing craft utility (LCU) vessels inside their floodable well docks, plus four smaller landing craft hanging from the sides (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel or LCVP) – crucial to Commando operations.

The announcement about the reassignment of personnel across the force comes as a former head of the Royal Marines expressed his concerns over the axing of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark.

Retired Major General Buster Howes warned Royal Marines won't be as effective operating from RFA vessels which have supported recent Commando deployments and training.