§ 41. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Air if he authorised the declaration made by the Director of the W.R.A.F., that punishment for women will be the same as for men; that there is to be provision for the detention of women members of the Forces; and whether special military detention prisons are to be established for women.
§ Mr. A. HendersonIn her statement the Director explained that members of the Women's Royal Air Force are now subject to the Air Force Act with certain modifications. They may be awarded detention but not field punishment. While the building of special detention barracks is not contemplated, consideration is being given to the most appropriate place in which a service woman can serve a sentence of detention.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister satisfied that these measures for stricter discipline are really necessary, and can he assure us there will be nothing in the nature of glasshouses for ladies.
§ Mr. HendersonI am quite sure that my hon. Friend is a believer in sex equality, and in view of the fact that we are integrating the women's services with the men's services, it is not inconsistent to provide punishments for women as we do for men.
§ Mr. Peter ThorneycroftAre we to understand from the reply of the right hon. and learned Gentleman that the Government have substituted a policy of equal punishment for men and women instead of equal pay?
§ Mr. HendersonNo, Sir. There is not a complete integration either as regards payment or as regards punishment, as I indicated in my first reply.
§ Mr. GallacherAre we to take it from the reply of the Secretary of State that equal punishment will include corporal punishment for women?
§ Mr. HendersonNo, Sir.