§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the homosexuality policy assessment team has completed its assessment; and if he will make a statement. [19206]
§ Mr. SoamesThe homosexuality policy assessment team has, following an exhaustive and wide ranging consultation exercise involving personnel from all three 5W services, together with staffs from overseas defence forces, now produced its report, copies which have today been placed in the Library of the House. The team's assessment is that any relaxation of the existing policy is likely to have a detrimental effect on operational effectiveness. For that reason, the Government will continue to support the existing policy of excluding homosexuals from the armed forces.
The Ministry of Defence will shortly be submitting a paper of evidence, based on the team's report, to the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill to assist in its deliberations on the subject.