Women to serve on submarines
Naval chiefs are expected to announce that women will be able to serve on submarines.
"The first 20 female submariners will sail on Vanguard-class subs carrying Trident nuclear missiles." Says The Sun.
Concerns about the recycled air, potentially high levels of carbon dioxide on board the vessels and the proximity of nuclear reactors , all of which could affect pregnancy have been quashed.
Even though the announcement is likely to come before the end of the year it may be some time before we see female submariners in active service.
A Naval source told The Daily Telegraph: "It might take a while because we do need to spend time and money to get the accommodation arrangements adapted.
"I will certainly expect to see women on board our boats in my time."
However, there are fears that the Navy's "no touching" rule may be broken with men and women being in close confinement at sea.
A Naval source told The Sun last night:"There is concern over what might happen.
"If there was a sex scandal it would be impossible for anyone to be taken off until the sub returned from its three-month patrol.
"The Navy will go to great lengths to make sure that the first women are officers with impeccable credentials."
Women have served on warships since 1990 with few problems. Where pregnancies have occurred women have been sent straight home.