SOUTH East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray has raised concerns about some of the kit issued to Royal Marines for training following a fact-finding trip with 42 Commando in California.

Mrs Murray, who paid for the trip herself during the last parliamentary recess, was asked by many of the men she met why they were not issued with the same body armour for training as they would wear while on operations.

The Marines explained to her that many of them are training with the old-style body armour. While on deployment in Afghanistan they were using the up-to-date Osprey body armour, but some have had to hand it back on their return home.

They accepted those on current deployment in Afghanistan must be given priority, but felt the reduction of personnel in the conflict should now allow them to train with the equipment they would use on operations.

Mrs Murray said: 'In the event of an emergency deployment while operating as the lead Commando, the Royal Marines would be issued with the new-style Osprey, but because they rig their webbing and equipment in a different way while wearing the different body armour, it takes some time, and this is causing them concern.'

She has since raised the issue with the Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Mark Francois MP, at the Ministry of Defence.

Based at Bickleigh Barracks, Plymouth, a number of the Royal Marines are from Mrs Murray's constituency. On the trip she learned that 42 Commando are due to take over as lead Commando for this year.