A defence minister has pledged to help recognise the service of thousands of women dismissed from the armed forces because of pregnancy.
Al Carns, whose ministerial brief includes veterans, offered to move the issue forward after Conservative MP Alicia Kearns urged him to ensure the women have their berets and cap badges returned to them.
Ms Kearns, MP for Rutland and Stamford, told the House of Commons: “Between 1978 and 1990, in what was an illegal act, 5,700 women were dismissed and discharged on family grounds from the armed forces for falling pregnant while in service.
“This isn’t a question of compensation, they want their berets and cap badges returned to them.
“So will the minister please work with me to right an injustice done to all these women who just wanted to keep serving their country and now want that service recognised?”
Mr Carns replied: “I think that’s a really important question and we have the utmost respect for all those who have served.
“I’d be delighted to work with (Ms Kearns) to move that forward.”
In May 1994, the House of Commons heard the then-Conservative government explain how 2,150 claims had been settled at a cost of £15.5 million and added that the total number expected was 5,700.
Speaking after defence questions, Ms Kearns told the PA news agency: “I welcome the minister’s warm response to right the injustice doled out to so many women who served their nation with pride and honour, and would have continued to do so had an illegal act not been perpetrated against them.
“I look forward to working with the minister to recognise their service and return their berets and/or cap badges to them.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here