Women face frontline combat ban

Women will not be allowed to fight with bomb and bayonet in the front line of the Army's Infantry and tank units, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon is set to announce after Easter.

It had been expected women would have to be allowed in frontline action under the Human Rights Act and the EU's Fundamental Charter of Human Rights. But after two years of studies, including exercises with mixed units, the Government is saying no. One of the main reasons is though to be cost. Statistics from the Army and US forces show that women are eight times more prone to injury in infantry training.

The lack of upper-body strength in many women recruits puts them at a disadvantage - particularly in bayonet drill, still regarded as an essential element of the infantry soldier's skills. Building upperbody strength in female recruits in the US Army has proved damaging - and costly in compensation settlements.

However, female troops already work at the front line, and even in advance of it as mine clearers, gunnery observers and signallers. And on special undercover work in Northern Ireland they have won high awards and commendations for gallantry.