§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if, having regard to the large number of occasions on which Army bands have undertaken recording sessions during 1974 and 1975, he will list in the Official Report (a) the total sum of money distributed among the 31 directors of music in the Regular Army over that period from such activities, (b) the annual amount received by each director of music over that period, (c) in what form Army regulations stipulate that this information be recorded, (d) who is responsible for auditing such payments and (e) how frequently the commanding officer receives a report on the activities authorised by him and undertaken by an Army band together with the audited accounts.
§ Mr. Robert C. Brownpursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11th March 1976; Vol. 901, c. 314–5], gave the following information:
The total sum of money distributed between 10 directors of music of the Regular Army who received recording royalties during 1974 and 1975 is as follows:
1974 1975 £ 1,577.26 £ 1,845.25 As recording royalties are not public moneys, it would be contrary to the practice of my Department to publish the amounts received by each director of music. Regulations require that profits from the making of recordings are treated as profits from paid military band engagements. The responsibility for the proper application of all funds in a unit, and the amount of such funds, rests with the commanding officer. Accounts, including accounts held on behalf of a band, are normally audited every six months. Control of the activities of a band, including engagements and recording sessions, are a matter for the commanding officer.