asked the Minister for Defence if any women have yet been recruited into the Defence Forces, if so, the number recruited to date and the duties assigned to them; if there are any duties to which women will not be assigned, and the nature of any such duties.
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Women Recruits.
447.
Women have not yet been recruited into the Defence Forces. The question of the appointment of a small number of specially selected female officers on fixed period commissions is, however, under active consideration at present. These officers will be required in connection with the establishment and development of the Women's Service Corps and, in particular, with the induction and training of the first general intake of female recruits. In addition, a competition for the award of cadetships in the corps will be announced in the near future. As regards recruits, it is anticipated that about 20 female recruits will be enlisted in April or May of next year.
In regard to the duties which will be assigned to women members of the Defence Forces, I would refer the Deputy to the Official Report of the 23 October 1979—Volume 316, columns 513 to 516.