SOUTH Dorset MP Richard Drax has spoken in Parliament of his concerns over Royal Navy recruitment - in particular the ability to man the country's two new supercarriers.

The UK's two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers should both have been commissioned within the next few years.

Speaking during defence questions on army recruitment, Mr Drax widened the debate to address rumours of a naval manpower shortage.

He asked Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning: "Will he quash these rumours that we will not have enough trained sailors to man both our aircraft carriers when they are launched."

The minister replied: "We have not hidden the fact that it is very difficult to make sure that we do everything we possibly can, but we will do that."

Describing HMS Queen Elizabeth and her sister carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, as "the pride of the navy," the minister added, "when the particular moment comes, we will have the crews."

Mr Drax said he was glad the minister held such faith in the recruitment process.

The Dorset MP, himself a former British Army officer, added: "The navy has long been in the throes of a manpower crisis and manning two aircraft carriers and the battle group to accompany them at sea will be a tall order.

"The 2010 defence review required the Royal Navy to reduce its personnel numbers from 36,000 down to around 31,000.

"The most recent numbers available are now at 29,470, well below the critical mass required. Also, there were reports this summer that the Royal Navy is now poaching essential engineers from the oil industry.

"In view of the well known difficulties in recruiting for the army, I hope that those in charge of recruitment for the Royal Navy will up their game urgently, so that our carriers are adequately manned."