Free Republic

A man who commanded four British submarines has said that allowing women to serve in them would be difficult. The navy is looking to send 20 women officers to serve in Britain's four Vanguard class boats. The navy said it is looking at the design of its larger submarines to see if mixed sex accommodation could be incorporated and is looking again at the reason it has given to ban women. But Commander Jeff Tall said the navy's move to send women to serve in nuclear boats on a trial would not be popular in the service. He said: 'It's...

Brown in favour of updating Trident By George Jones, Political Editor (Filed: 22/06/2006) Gordon Brown promised last night to approve the updating of Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent in an attempt to show that a Labour government led by him would not swing back to the Left or be "soft" on defence. In a move that will anger Left-wing MPs, the Chancellor told business leaders and financiers that as Prime Minister he would be "strong" in fighting terrorism, supporting the Armed Forces and "retaining our independent nuclear deterrent". Treasury sources said Mr Brown, who in the past has been criticised for...