HC Deb 02 February 2001 vol 362 c310W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects women to serve as submariners; and if he will make a statement. [148171]

Mr. Hoon

The current medical advice is to the effect that women should not serve in submarines because no assurance can be given regarding the safety of a foetus due to the presence of contaminants in the submarine atmosphere. The medical advice on this question is kept under regular review and is in the process of being reassessed. Currently, there are no plans to change the policy of excluding women from the submarine service.