§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence why he is proposing to arm women serving in the Forces; what effect this will have on the operational deployment of women in the forward areas; what is the reason for the change of practice; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now authorise the chiefs of staff, where they judge appropriate, to authorise members of the women's service to be issued with and trained in the use of weapons for self-defence.
§ Mr. MulleyI have nothing to add on the question of arming of female Service 457W personnel to what was said in paragraph 404 of the 1979 statement on the defence Estimates published last month.