The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem on 2016-10-19.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 22 February (HL6098), what progress they have made towards identifying and costing a long-term solution to the full integration of female soldiers in close combat roles in the Infantry and Royal Armoured Corps, the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force Regiment.
Earl Howe
On 8 July 2016, the former Prime Minister (Rt Hon David Cameron MP) announced that following a recommendation by the Chief of the General Staff the previous exclusions on women serving in the Royal Marines (RM), Royal Armoured Corps (RAC), Infantry and Royal Air Force Regiment (RAF Regt) have now been lifted. This applies to both Regular and Reserve units.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will initially open certain RAC units from November 2016, with all other Ground Close Combat roles opening from 2018. This will enable implementation to be rolled out in a deliberate, responsible and methodical manner that will allow mitigation measures, such as updated Physical Employment Standards, to be put in place.
Delivering the necessary organisational changes will be covered within current programmes and initiatives. Infrastructure changes across Defence will be achieved through existing development strategies and will not impact on the successful delivery of this policy change. The amount of funding required for longer term infrastructure solutions will be dependent on the number of women posted to particular establishments.