§ Dr. WoodcockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the steps being taken to increase job opportunities for women in the Army, Navy and the Royal Air Force.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Army plans to increase job opportunities for women in line with the recommendations of the report on the study into the long term role and employment of women in the Army, which identified 6,000 additional posts in the Regular Army and 4,000 posts in the Territorial Army that could be opened to women. The RAF is increasing the number of women in ground trades from 5,000 to 7,000, some 10 per cent. of the total ground trades trained strength, over the next five years and has begun recruiting women as pilots and navigators for non-combat roles. The Royal Navy is currently reviewing the possible future employment of the Women's Royal Naval Service and we expect to make an announcement around the end of the year.