HC Deb 20 January 1981 vol 997 c118W
Dr Summerskill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Review Body on Armed Forces Pay has considered the adjustment of the x-factor component of the pay of Service women who are now undertaking the same sort of armed duties as Service men; and if so, what has been the result of this consideration.

Mr. Goodhart

Although members of the WRAC and WRAF are being trained in the use of arms, this training will not be given to all Service women and they will not be required to undertake the same sort of armed duties as Service men. The training will be in the use of arms for self-defence only and women will not serve in combat units. The Review Body on Armed Forces pay, which is an independent body, reviews the position of Service women in every pay review, and it is for it to decide whether the recent change in the status of Service women is sufficient to justify a change in the x-factor component of their pay. I understand that the Review Body will be looking at this issue in the course of its 1981–82 review of pay.