§ Mr. Bishopasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will state the reasons for women being considered unsuitable for work in Reproduction Class Grade A, as messengers, instructors, and officers in other sections of the Ministry of Defence; and if he will review the establishment with a view to women being employed in these and other posts.
§ 11. Lord BalnielAs a general rule, women are excluded from posts in the Ministry of Defence only if, by generally accepted standards, the work is considered unsuitable for them or they do not possess the appropriate qualifications. 129W I do not think that any review is needed, except in the case of the Constabularies. The detailed reasons for women being considered unsuitable for certain posts are as follows:
Messengers
Many women messengers are already employed in the Department. They are only excluded from posts where the duties are unsuitable for women, such as the carrying of heavy loads.Reproduction Class Grade A
Some of the work of this grade is heavy and dirty. Departmental practice is tied to that in large printing shops in the private sector where only men are employed on this work.Royal Corps of Transport Fleet Grades
These grades are employed afloat in small vessels in which it would be impracticable to accommodate women.Telecommunications Group B.A.O.R.
The duties of this group include working with Army units in the field; there is also an operational liability in an emergency.Civilian Instructors
Chef Instructors
These staff are employed on the instruction in various trades of junior ranks in the Armed Forces. They work in an entirely male environment, and the maintenance of discipline is an important feature of the job.Civilian Assistant Operations Officers
There is no objection in principle to the employment of women on these tasks. Whilst it is unlikely that women candidates would possess the necessary experience, any future vacancies for these posts will be open to women.Fire Service Officer Class
These posts are filled by promotion from the ranks of the Service Fire Brigades. Women are excluded from the latter since the Brigades undertake normal fire fighting duties and rescue work, and also have an operational commitment to accompany Her Majesty's Forces.Security Officers (Investigating)
These officers interview Servicemen and others in relation to Security Vetting. They must have had service in the police or Her Majesty's Forces, and experience in the conduct of investigations and interviewing is normally required. At present, two women are employed on these duties; but the scope for greatly increasing female employment in this area is limited since few are suitably qualified and the work involves visiting the Services in the field, including overseas.Constabularies
In general Ministry of Defence police duties are considered too arduous for women. How- 130W ever, when the Departmental Constabularies are amalgamated later this year, the employment of a small number of women in the unified Force will be considered.Retired Officers Serving with Air Training Corps
There is no objection in principle to the employment of women on some of these duties. The requirement is however for experienced ex-officers, and, although it is unlikely that there are many women with the right qualifications, future vacancies in suitable posts will be open to them.Certain Posts in the Meteorological Office
Women are not suitable for employment in the Meteorological Office as Telecommunications Technical Officers or Radio Technicians, since these grades are liable to be called out alone at night to service equipment a long way from their home base; or for service on Ocean Weather Ships on which conditions can be severe. Women are eligible for employment in all other grades in the Meteorological Office.