§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many Army units were employed in the slaughter of animals during the foot and mouth epidemic in the summer and autumn months of 2001; and [HL1654]
Which regiments supplied the Army units employed in the slaughter of animals during the foot and mouth epidemic in the summer and autumn months of 2001; and [HL1655]
How many (a) officers, (b) non-commissioned officers and (c) soldiers were employed in the slaughter of animals during the foot and mouth epidemic in the summer and autumn months of 2001; and [HL1656]
In which geographical areas Army units were employed in the slaughter of animals during the foot and mouth epidemic in the summer and autumn months of 2001; and [HL1657]
Whether any of the Army units employed in the slaughter of animals during the foot and mouth epidemic in the summer and autumn months of 2001 have been posted on duty abroad. [HL1658]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)No formed Army units or individual personnel were employed as slaughtermen during the foot and mouth epidemic in the summer and autumn months. Indeed, no formed Army units were employed in the slaughter of animals at any time during the epidemic.
At the height of the crisis, over 2,000 personnel drawn from all three services deployed in support of Maff/Defra. Of these, a total of 109 were employed as slaughtermen between 27 March and 4 May. All those who worked as slaughtermen were volunteers and they were drawn from the following units and agencies.
Regiments: The Household Cavalry Regiment 16 Regiment Royal Artillery 39 Regiment Royal Artillery 1st Battalion the Kings Regiment 3 Close Support Regiment RLC 4 General Supply Regiment RLC 9 Supply Regiment RLC 13 Air Assualt Regiment R LC 23 Pioneer Regiment RLCM ACE Mobile Force (Land) Combat Services Support Battalion Commando Logistic Regiment Army School of Catering Headquarters RLC TA Scottish Logistic Supply Regiment Agencies: Defence Postal and Courier Service Agency Defence Munitions Agency Kineton Of these personnel, one was an officer, 47 were non-commissioned officers and 61 were soldiers. They were deployed in Cumbria, Northumberland, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
171WAFour of the regiments that provided personnel who were employed as slaughtermen have been deployed abroad. The Household Cavalry Regiment and 13 Air Assault Regiment RLC deployed on operations and 16 Regiment Royal Artillery and 39 Regiment Royal Artillery deployed on exercise. The bio-security procedures agreed between the Ministry of Defence and Maff/Defra were followed by all the service personnel who were deployed during the crisis.