§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost since 1 May 1997 of supplying military police to protect huntsmen on MOD land from potential activity by anti-hunt protesters. [63638]
§ Mr. SpellarMilitary Police are not involved with hunts, so no costs have been incurred from protecting huntsmen.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 when authorisation has been given for MOD land to be used for hunting; and if he will indicate those occasions when hunting occurred on land designated as a site of special scientific interest, giving for each occasion the location of the SSSI. [63637]
§ Mr. SpellarI will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what charges have been made and to which hunts for the use of MOD land since 1 May 1997. [63634]
447W
§ Mr. SpellarThe table shows charges which have been paid since 1 May 1997 allowing hunting with hounds to take place over the Defence Estate.
Hunt Charges since 1 May 1997 (£) Comments Tanatside Hunt 158.75 North Shropshire Hunt 179.37 Surrey Union Hunt 398.13 Blankney Hunt 208.75 Essex and Suffolk Hunt 405.75 Thorney Island Hunt 39.38 The previous Commanding Officer used to invite the Hunt onto the Island for one day a year—this has now ceased East Kent Hunt 172.75 South Pembrokeshire Hunt 39.60 Sennybridge Hunt 160.89 Brecon and Talybont Hunt 160.89 Irfon and Tywi Hunt 160.89 Taunton Vale Foxhounds 80.00 There is a reciprocal agreement in place whereby land is licenced to the MOD West of Yore Hunt 170.18 Bedale Hunt 170.18 Zetland Hunt 170.18 Wensleydale Hunt 36.43 Ullswater Foxhounds 152.37 Lunesdale Foxhounds 57.12 Border Hunt 175.12 West Percy Hunt 175.12 Avon Vale Hunt 375.00 Tedworth Hunt 125.00 Royal Artillery Hunt 225.00 South and West Wiltshire Hunt 225.00 Bewcastle Hunt 177.22 Licence to pass over MOD land only Tynedale Hunt 233.62 Licence to pass over MOD land only
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 when his Departments' buildings have been used for purposes connected with hunting. [63633]
§ Mr. SpellarThis information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the MOD units which have hunt kennels on their land, indicating in each case the rent charged for the use of these kennels. [63635]
§ Mr. SpellarThe MOD units which have hunt kennels on their land are as follows
Britannia Royal Naval College—Kennels for beagles. Charges made for utilities only and for this Financial Year this stands at £55.Catterick Garrison—Kennels for Catterick Garrison Beagles—£1,698 per annum.Larkhill Garrison—Royal Artillery Hunt—Encroachment. (No charge)RMA Sandhurst—Beagle kennels—Encroachment. (No charge)RMCS Shrivenham—Beagle kennels—Encroachment. (No charge).An encroachment is granted for authorised sporting, recreational and welfare activities in accordance with guidelines in the Joint Services Publication 362 Defence Lands Handbook, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which MOD units permit their personnel to hunt during normal working hours, with particular reference to the Wednesday afternoon sports period. [63636]
448WThe following charges have been paid since 1 May 1997 allowing hunting with hounds to take place over the Defence estate:
§ Mr. SpellarI will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.