HC Deb 03 November 1988 vol 139 cc733-4W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was earned by his Department during the last financial year from services provided to the private sector.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I regret that the information is not held in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. For accounting purposes, receipts from the private sector are not necessarily distinguished from receipts from other sources, but in 1987–88 receipts received centrally from United Kingdom non-Exchequer bodies amounted to some £280 million, covering both sales and services.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Departmental facilities have been made available for private hire during the past 12 months.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I regret the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost since business is conducted and charges are raised locally, and there is no central collection of detailed data.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how charges are calculated for the use of military personnel or equipment by private commercial hirers.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

In accordance with Treasury guidelines, charges are normally set to recover the full cost of any assistance provided. Charges may only be reduced or waived in certain well-defined circumstances, such as search and rescue and certain assistance to other Government Departments or the police.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide details of the occasions during the past 12 months when serving military personnel were hired by individuals and companies in connection with private and commercial activities.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I regret that the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost since business is conducted and charges are raised locally, and there is no central collection of detailed data.