§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present cost of the band service for each of the three services; what is his estimate of the financial savings to be made in each service as a result of the reductions to be made; and whether he is satisfied that bands of an infantry battalion reduced by one quarter will be able to provide a high standard of melody, in view of the fact that most military music is arranged for bands of the present size.
§ Mr. WigginThe estimated annual cost of the bands of each service at 1982–83 prices are:
£ million Royal Marines 7.9 Army 25.1 RAF 2.6 Estimated annual savings at 1982–83 prices as a result of currently planned reductions are:
£ million Royal Marines 1.1 Army 5.2 There are no planned reductions for RAF bands. I am satisfied that the reduced size of infantry bands will contain an adequate balance of instruments to ensure that the high standards are maintained.