Select Committee · Defence Committee
Women in the Armed Forces: Follow-Up
Status: Closed
Opened: 21 Sep 2023
Closed: 5 May 2026
Inquiry scope
This was originally conducted as an inquiry during the 2019 Parliament, with the Committee holding annual follow-up sessions after reporting in 2021. In November 2024 the re-established committee agreed to continue the practice of holding annual sessions on these issues. This page brings together all evidence published since November 2023 in both the 2019 and 2024 Parliaments. Other relevant material is published on the original inquiry pages , and on the pages for the 2022 follow-up session .Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Apr 2026 |
Panel 1
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth · Ministry of Defence,
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins · Ministry of Defence,
General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO · Ministry of Defence,
Louise Sandher-Jones MP · Ministry of Defence,
Sam des Forges · Ministry of Defence
|
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| 18 Mar 2025 |
Panel 1
Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE · Ministry of Defence,
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard John Knighton KCB ADC FREng · Ministry of Defence,
Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP · Ministry of Defence,
General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO · Ministry of Defence,
Sam des Forges · Ministry of Defence
|
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| 14 Nov 2023 |
Panel 1
Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE · Ministry of Defence,
Air Marshal Paul Lloyd · Ministry of Defence,
Lieutenant General Sharon Nesmith · Ministry of Defence,
Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP · Ministry of Defence,
Sam des Forges · Ministry of Defence
|
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Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Sam des Forges · Director of Conduct, Equity and Justice | Ministry of Defence | 3 |
| Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE · The First Sea Lord | Ministry of Defence | 2 |
| General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO · Chief of the General Staff | Ministry of Defence | 2 |
| Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth · Chief of the Air Staff | Ministry of Defence | 1 |
| Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard John Knighton KCB ADC FREng · The Chief of the Air Staff | Ministry of Defence | 1 |
| Air Marshal Paul Lloyd · Deputy Chief of the Air Staff | Ministry of Defence | 1 |
| Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Veterans and People) | Ministry of Defence | 1 |
| General Sir Gwyn Jenkins · First Sea Lord | Ministry of Defence | 1 |
| Lieutenant General Sharon Nesmith · Deputy Chief of the General Staff | Ministry of Defence | 1 |
| Louise Sandher-Jones MP · Minister for Veterans and People | Ministry of Defence | 1 |
| Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP · Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families | Ministry of Defence | 1 |