Government’s mixed messages over the Navy

SIR – I find it hard to believe that the Government can consider itself a protector of our shores when, in this “Year of the Navy”, it will scrap HMS Ocean, our only helicopter carrier, sell HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, our only amphibious ships, and reduce the Royal Marines by 1,000 men.

Think back to 1982, and all the conflicts and disasters since, when these ships, sailors and marines have been used by governments to save face – as well as countless lives.

Theresa May scraps them at her peril. She should remember that the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the remains of the Army and the Royal Air Force can assist her in her fight against cyber crime too (report, November 27). Alan Jones

Harwich, Essex

SIR – It is said that we are acutely short of sailors and do not have enough manpower to crew our warships. Yesterday’s front-page photograph, however, seemed to suggest that there are enough Royal Navy personnel to spare for ceremonial duties in London.

The Army is short of recruits, but not that desperate. What is going on? Dave Alsop

Gloucester

SIR – Sunday may have been the first time the Royal Navy mounted guard at Buckingham Palace, but it’s not the first time that it has provided the ceremonial guard for a royal residence.

In 1945, in the early days of the occupation of Japan, when the Japanese armed forces had been disarmed and stood down, the gates of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo were guarded by military units of the various occupying powers. At least once, the guard was mounted by a party from the Royal Navy contingent based at Kure, near Hiroshima. Graham Healey

School of East Asian Studies University of Sheffield