Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Caroline Dinenage and Harriett Baldwin

Monday 19th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) (Con)]

2. What expertise women can provide and which roles they can fill on board Royal Navy submarines.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

6. If he will take steps to encourage women in the Royal Navy to apply to serve on Vanguard and Astute class submarines.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond)]

I announced to the House on 8 December that women will be recruited into the Royal Navy submarine service. All submariner roles will be open to women, and this new opportunity to serve will enlarge the talent pool from which the submarine service will recruit. All male and female applicants will be assessed against the same criteria. All applicants will receive the same training. I am confident that there will be sufficient interest from female personnel to serve on board Royal Navy submarines.