§ Sir OWEN PHILIPPSasked the Pensions Minister whether he can state the number of women who have been discharged as medically unfit after a period of service with the women's branches of His Majesty's Forces; and whether he has in contemplation the extension to the women's branch of the service of the operation of the system of granting disability pensions or gratuities which at present is only applicable to discharged men?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have been asked to answer this question as regards the Army and Royal Air Force. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will address an inquiry to the Admiralty as regards the Navy. I am not in possession of exact figures, but the numbers are approximately 7,000 in the case of the Army and 1,300 in the case of the Royal Air Force. It has never been proposed and it is not intended to propose that these women should be placed on the same footing as soldiers. They come under the Injuries in War Compensation Schemes for injuries and sickness abroad, and under the Workmen's Compensation Act and National Health Insurance Act respectively for injuries and sickness at home.