§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence how the average length of service of WRNS ratings and officers who 226W are not subject to the Naval Discipline Act compares with that of the other women's services who are subject to similar Acts; why he is now proposing to subject the WRNS to the Act; and how they will be affected by being so subject.
§ Mr. Judd:It is generally the case that WRNS officers and ratings serve rather longer than their counterparts in the other women's services, but length of service is dependent on many factors of which the disciplinary code is only one. The proposal to bring the WRNS under the jurisdiction of the Naval Discipline Act is likely to be put before Parliament as part of the Armed Forces Bill 1975. The change in day-to-day disciplinary arrangements will be very slight, but the change in the legal basis of WRNS discipline will enhance their status and facilitate their closer integration into the naval Service.