§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the ban on homosexuals in the armed forces. [6903]
§ Dr. ReidThe issue of homosexuality in the armed forces is reviewed as a matter of course in every Parliament. The Government will form a view on the weight of the evidence, taking account of the UK's laws, and of the views of the European Court, and of the armed forces. The Government will start with the position agreed in the last Parliament, which supported the policy of excluding homosexuals from the services, and will look in detail at the findings of the detailed review of the policy which was undertaken by this Department in 1995–96.360W Ministers will then seek to establish the way forward in consultation with the Chiefs of Staff.