HC Deb 07 February 1994 vol 237 cc113-4W
Mr. Martlew

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Ministry first received a legal challenge from a woman serving in the armed forces or formerly serving in the armed forces with regard to dismissal from the armed forces on the ground of pregnancy; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

The first legal challenge to the policy of compulsorily discharging service women on pregnancy was received from two former service women in June 1990. With the assistance of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the women applied to the High Court for judicial review of the decision to discharge them.

Mr. Martlew

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average amount paid in compensation to women who had to leave the armed forces because they became pregnant in each year since compensation payments were first made; and if he will make a statment.

Mr. Hanley

Compensation payments to women discharged from the armed forces on the ground of pregnancy commenced in 1992–93, when the average amount paid was £3,462. The figure for the current financial year to date is £3,823. My answer of 21 January to the hon. Member,Official Report, col 939, should have given a total of £5,822,943 as the figure paid in compensation to women compulsorily discharged from the armed forces on grounds of pregnancy between August 1978 and August 1990. The current figure for compensation claims paid is 1,720 at a total cost of £6,234,779.

Mr. Martlew

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many women who left the forces because they became pregnant in each year since 1980 subsequently rejoined the forces at a lower rank; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

The Royal Navy and Army do not hold this information centrally and it could not be provided without disproportionate cost. Fourteen airwomen discharged on pregnancy after 1980 rejoined the Royal Air Force at a lower rank: nine in 1991, four in 1992 and one in 1993. All these women rejoined the RAF under the local service airwoman scheme. Three of those who re-enlisted in 1991 have since transferred to regular service.

Mr. Martlew

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under which vote and subhead his Ministry made compensation payments to women who left the armed forces because they became pregnant; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

As with all compensation paid by my Department in common law and industrial tribunal cases, payments made to pregnant ex-service women are made centrally on behalf of the three services from the second Under Secretary of State's top level budget—vote 1L2.

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