§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the posts in his Department considered unsuitable for women, in particular to ensure that women may be allowed to become Custodians in the Houses of Parliament and Yeoman Warders.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerIn principle there is no objection to the employment of women Custodians in the Houses of Parliament, but because of the limited accommodation available for them for changing and other purposes it is not practicable at the present time to think in terms of a mixed force.
Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London are recruited exclusively from warrant officers or colour sergeants who have served on a regular engagement in 447W the British Army or the Royal Air Force. They must possess Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. At no time have women been specifically excluded from applying for Yeoman Warder vacancies, and if any did so they would be considered in competition with male applicants.