Fw: Free breast implants for British women soldiers

[Guest guest]

From: " ilena rose " <ilena@...>

Sent: Friday, April 27, 2001 1:08 AM

Subject: Free breast implants for British women soldiers

> Free breast implants for British women soldiers

>

>

> LONDON, April 26 (Reuters) - The British Army has paid for a handful of

female

> soldiers to have breast enlargements to make them happier, the Ministry of

> Defence said on Thursday.

>

> A spokesman said that four women had received breast-enhancing surgery at

one

> military hospital since the start of last year, and the total number is

likely

> to be higher.

>

> " We would suggest that there are something like a dozen such cases a

year, " the

> ministry spokesman said.

>

> In one case, a 27-year-old corporal underwent the 2,500 pound ($3,600)

> operation, courtesy of the armed forces, to make her " a happier soldier. "

>

> The spokesman defended the policy, saying that surgery would only be paid

for

> if there was an overriding physical or psychological reason to do so.

>

> " This is not done purely on cosmetic grounds, but as a last resort, " he

said.

>

> " A small number of soldiers may develop a recurring and chronic

psychological

> problem which may be debilitating. "

>

> The revelation is likely to renew debate in Britain on the role of women

in the

> armed forces. They currently account for around 16,000 of the

200,000-strong

> army, navy and air force.

>

> The government is awaiting a review on whether women soldiers should be

allowed

> to fight in the front line.

>

>

>