To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has plans to widen further the opportunities for the employment of women in the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement.

We intend to widen the employment of women as aircrew to enable them to undertake aviation roles in the Royal Navy. Women will be employed initially as pilots, observers and aircrewmen in Sea King anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning and Lynx anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopters. Employment in the Sea Harriers and Commando helicopters will follow at a later stage. We intend to begin considering women for recruitment as aircrew immediately and also to seek volunteers from within the WRNS.