Written Question·Ministry of Defence·UIN 106741

Armed Forces: Clubs

Tabled: 19 January 2026
Answered: 27 January 2026

Question

Charlie Dewhirst

ConservativeBridlington and The Wolds

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is his policy on members of the Armed Forces (a) being members of single-sex private members’ clubs in a personal capacity and (b) participating in such clubs in a professional capacity.

Answer

Louise Sandher-Jones
Defence does not hold a specific central policy on individual membership of single-sex private members’ clubs. Participation with external organisations in a professional capacity is subject to formal approval through the Chain of Command.