Written question asked by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Monday, 21 July 2014, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 August 2014. It was answered by Lord Astor of Hever (Conservative) on Monday, 4 August 2014 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Women

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government who are the highest-ranked women serving in each branch of HM Armed Forces; and what are their respective ranks.

Answer: Information on 3 star and 4 star appointments and the highest ranking female officers in the Armed Forces are provided in the tables. While no women have yet reached 3 or 4 star the proportion of women in senior military posts is increasing and we are now seeing the best and brightest of our people recognised and promoted, irrespective of gender. We are working to address the under-representation of certain demographic groups, including women. The most tangible evidence of the progress that women have made in getting to the most senior ranks of the Armed Forces is the appointment in 2013 of Air Vice Marshals Elaine West and Sue Gray as the first female two-star officers in the RAF.

Secondary information