§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Defence what fees are being paid to each of the musicians in the Band of the Irish Guards in respect of a prospective engagement by a well known London night club; and whether these rates of pay are in accordance with Musicians' Union rates.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThe arrangements for the appearance of the Band of the Irish Guards at Quaglino's Restaurant are the subject of a private commercial contract between the regiment and the 439W restaurant. The soldiers playing on this occasion, as for any similar engagements, will do so in their free time. It is not the practice to disclose details of such contracts but I can confirm that the rates charged are not below the recognised trade union rates.
§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy with regard to the performance fees charged for the hire of military bands by commercial organisations and non-profit making organisations, respectively.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownBands are permitted to undertake fee-paying engagements when they are not required for official Service or unit engagements or other duties. Bands are not permitted to charge less than the recognised trade union rate of payment for any fee-paying performance. Fees are not charged for performances of a Service or ex-Service commemorative nature or where profits from the performance are wholly donated to a recognised Service or ex-Service charity.
§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much was earned in fees paid for public and priavte performances to each of the military bands of Her Majesty's forces during the last three years; and to which departmental account it is payable;
(2) what are the total revenues earned by, and the total costs attributable to, the bands of Her Majesty's forces.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThe total cost of the band services for 1974–75 is estimated at £15.2 million. It is not the practice to disclose details of fees earned from priavte contracts. However, certain sums are recovered by Defence Votes as a result of charges made for public performances. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as this information is available.
§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that the fees charged to commercial organisations for the hire of his Department's military bands by commercial organisations represent a true economic charge which provides an adequate return on the taxpayers' investment in Great Britain's military music capability.
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§ Mr. Robert C. BrownSince the primary purpose of Service bands is not commercial and since the great majority of band engagements are undertaken for official purposes rather than on a commercial basis, there can be no economic relationship between the fees charged for the relatively small number of fee-paying engagements and the cost to the taxpayer.