Hunting

HC Deb 29 March 1993 vol 222 cc11-4W

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence over which areas of his Department's land the Surrey Union hunt has a licence.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Surrey Union hunt has a licence to hunt over the Aldershot military lands and Surrey commons training areas.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the total receipts in 1991–92 from licences for fox hunts to hunt on his Department's land.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Total receipts in 1991–92 from annual fox hunting licences were £729.85.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent Army personnel from mounted units are permitted to use Army horses and equipment to participate in(a) deer or stag hunting and (b) cub hunting in off-duty hours; whether a charge is made; and who is responsible for veterinary fees following an injury to a horse owned by his Department used for hunting by personnel in mounted units hunting in off-duty hours.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Personnel from mounted units are not permitted to use Army horses or equipment to hunt in off-duty hours.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances personnel from non-mounted units are permitted to hunt in duty hours.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Personnel from non-mounted units are not normally permitted to hunt in duty hours. In exceptional circumstances, however, and at the commanding officer's discretion, it may be permitted provided there is no detriment to military tasks.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Army personnel from the Royal Military College of Science are permitted to use his Department's equipment when hunting in duty hours.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

There is only one MOD horse stabled in the saddle club at the Royal Military College of Science and it is not used for hunting. No other MOD equipment is held by the saddle club.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision is made for members of the armed forces from non-mounted units to use Army horses and equipment for fox hunting during duty or non-duty hours.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

None. When using Army horses, off-duty personnel from non-mounted units are required to pay for the hire of the horse, which covers the cost of veterinary services, and to take out comprehensive insurance. They would normally provide their own equipment.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide details and dates of when the Household Cavalry participated in fox hunting, with which hunts and on how many occasions, since January 1991.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Information for the period October 1992 to February 1993 is set out in the table. No additional costs to public funds were incurred as a result of this activity.

Date	Number
The Belvoir Hunt
28 October 1992	1
31 October 1992	1
11 November 1992	1
14 November 1992	4
18 November 1992	1
21 November 1992	4
25 November 1992	4
2 December 1992	4
9 December 1992	3
12 December 1992	4
15 December 1992	2
19 December 1992	4
6 January 1993	1
9 January 1993	4
13 January 1993	3
16 January 1993	3
20 January 1993	3
23 January 1993	4
27 January 1993	3
30 January 1993	2
3 February 1993	2
6 February 1993	4
10 February 1993	3
13 February 1993	3
20 February 1993	4
24 February 1993	3
6 March 1993	4
The Quorn Hunt
16 November 1992	4
20 November 1992	4
23 November 1992	4
27 November 1992	2
30 November 1992	3
4 December 1992	2
7 December 1992	4
11 December 1992	4
14 December 1992	4
18 December 1992	4
21 December 1992	4
28 December 1992	2
8 January 1993	3
11 January 1993	4
15 January 1993	3
18 January 1993	3
22 January 1993	4
25 January 1993	2
29 January 1993	4
1 February 1993	3
5 February 1993	3
8 February 1993	2
12 February 1993	3
15 February 1993	4
19 February 1993	2
22 February 1993	3
26 February 1993	1
5 March 1993	4
8 March 1993	2

Date	Number
The Cottesmore Hunt
17 November 1992	1
24 November 1992	1
8 December 1992	1
15 December 1992	2
22 December 1992	2
29 December 1992	1
12 January 1993	2
19 January 1993	2
9 February 1993	2
23 February 1993	1

The remainder of the information requested is not immediately available, and my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who meets the costs of the Army personnel attending the horses and driving horse boxes when the Household Cavalry attend hunts.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The salary costs of the Army personnel attending horses and driving horse boxes when the Household Cavalry attends hunts are met from public funds; however, they reflect the cost of maintaining mounted units in the Army and arise irrespective of whether soldiers and army horses take part in hunting. No additional costs to public funds are incurred.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in 1991 and 1992 the Royal Military Police have hunted; and with which hunts.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Royal Military Police do not hunt; but on three occasions in 1991 and three occasions in 1992, two non-commissioned officers and horses from the Royal Military Police mounted troop were deployed on duty at the request of and in support of the Surrey constabulary, who were policing hunts in Surrey which could have crossed Ministry of Defence land.