§ Mr. DavidsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 25 March 2002,Official Report, column 552W, on senior armed forces, how many officers there are of the rank of General and equivalent or above for each service; what steps the Ministry of Defence takes to ensure that its objective of reflecting the diversity of British society is monitored and implemented; and if he will make a statement on how the Government plan to ensure that senior officers are drawn from the whole range of society. [48701]
§ Mr. IngramThere are 12 officers of the rank of full General or equivalent and above currently appointed in the armed forces (Naval Service five; Army four; RAF three). The armed forces are committed to creating an organisational culture that welcomes diversity in which all have equal opportunity and encouragement to realise their full potential, regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or social/educational background. Promotion in the armed forces is based on merit.