§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many inquiries were received during an Army recruitment drive in Bradford earlier in the current year; how many people have been recruited; and in how many other places in west Yorkshire such recruitment drives have been held or are planned;
(2) what Army equipment was recently displayed in Bradford; on how many days the display was held; how many soldiers and of what rank attended; and what was the total cost of the display in Bradford.
§ Mr. NeubertThe event in Bradford was held on 12 and 13 June as part of the "Keep the Army in the Public Eye" scheme, the function of which is self-explanatory. It is not the purpose of this scheme to give careers counselling of the kind available at Army recruiting offices and no records are kept of inquirers. During the current financial year, three such events have taken place in west Yorkshire; no further events are planned.
The event in Bradford was run by the 4/7 Dragoon Guards and comprised one Chieftain main battle tank, one Scorpion light tank, one Fox armoured car, one Land Rover with trailer, 15 crewmen, ranging in rank from lieutenant to trooper, and a regimental band of 21 soldiers.
The additional costs of such events are quite small and relate primarily to accommodation and local travel. It is estimated that these amounted to less than £1,000 for the two days in question.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if a rifle range in which the public are charged 20p a shot by Army personnel is a normal feature of Army recruitment drives; and what complaints he has received about such rifle ranges and the display of tanks and other equipment in Bradford and other parts of west Yorkshire.
§ Mr. NeubertAir rifle ranges are a common feature of Army displays. The equipment is of non-military origin and a standard charge of 20p for five shots is made. I am not aware of any complaints having been received about rifle ranges or the display of tanks and other equipment in west Yorkshire.