§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many hours are spent each week by Forestry Commission keepers and other staff in servicing hunts that operate in the New Forest, and what is the gross annual cost to the Exchequer of this work, giving separate figures for the buckhunt, the foxhunt and the beagles.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)Forestry Commission staff do not service the hunts that operate in the New Forest. Commission keepers do, however, attend hunts to ensure that the terms of the hunting permissions granted by the commission are complied with, and to deal with any breaches of the New Forest by-laws by third parties. These attendances amount on average to some 40 to 45 hours a week during the hunting season. The estimated costs to the commission of this work in the current financial year are as follows:
£ Buckhunt — 2,500 Foxhunt — 3,500 Beagles — 1,400