HC Deb 05 May 1993 vol 224 cc149-51W
Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on whose authority licences are issued to hunt on Ministry of Defence land; and how the terms and conditions of the licences are drawn up.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Licences are issued under the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence. The licences are different for each hunt to take into account the special needs of the host establishment.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Surrey Union hunt was first issued with a licence to hunt on Ministry of Defence land.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

On 7 October 1991.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Army personnel were permitted to participate in cub hunting in 1991, 1992 and 1993.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Army personnel from mounted units, and those involved in their training, are permitted to take part in a range of equestrian training activities, including cub hunting.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the terms and conditions of hunt licences permit any hunt to block up badger setts or permit the digging out of foxes on Ministry of Defence land;

(2) if he will make it his policy to include in any licences for hunting on Ministry of Defence land a requirement that the rules set out in the rules of the Masters of Foxhounds Association be adhered to.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which hunts currently have a licence to hunt on Ministry of Defence land and in which areas; and when these licences are due for renewal.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The licences to hunt issued by my Department are due for renewal at various times. The hunts which had licences for the 1992–93 season were:

  • Brecon Farmers Hunt—Sennybridge Training Area
  • Sennybridge Farmers Hunt—Sennybridge Training Area
  • Irfon and Towey Hunt—Sennybridge Training Area
  • Glyn Celyn Beagles—Sennybridge TrainingArea
  • Blankney Hunt—Fulbeck and Beckingham Training Area
  • Surrey Union Hunt—Aldershot Military lands and Surrey Commons Training Area
  • West Shropshire Hunt—Nesscliffe Training Area
  • North Shropshire Hunt—Nesscliffe Training Area
  • Avon Vale Hunt—Salisbury Plain Training Area
  • South and West Wiltshire Hunt—Salisbury Plain Training Area
  • Royal Artillery Hunt—Salisbury Plain Training Area
  • Beaucaster Hunt—Spadeadam
  • Border Hunt—Otterburn Training Area
  • West Percy Hunt—Otterburn Training Area
  • Tynedale Hunt—Ouston Nr. Newcastle
  • Bedale Hunt—Catterick Training Area
  • Zetland Hunt—Feldom Training Area
  • Wensleydale Hunt—Catterick Training Area
  • West of York Hunt—Ellerton Banks
  • Catterick Beagles—Catterick Training Area
  • Newcastle Beagles—Otterburn Training Area

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all those fox hunts with which Ministry of Defence personnal are permitted to hunt in duty hours.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Personnel who are permitted to take part in fox hunting during duty hours may do so with any fox hunt in the country if they have the permission of the hunt secretary.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the Queens Royal Irish Hussars have participated in fox hunting; and with which hunts, in 1991, 1992 and 1993.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

None.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the cost of the licenses held by the HMS Heron sporting gun club were last increased; by what percentage; and for how many years the licenses have been held.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

HMS Heron sporting gun club has held a licence to shoot at Merryfield airfield since 1974 and at Langport range since 1986. The licences were last reviewed in 1991 and there was no increase in the charges.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to restrict the involvement of armed forces personnel in fox hunting during duty hours.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Personnel from mounted units, and those involved in their training, are permitted to take part in fox hunting in duty hours at the commanding officer's discretion when it is not to the detriment of any other military task. Other personnel are not normally permitted to hunt during duty hours. No further restrictions are planned.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any charge is made for Army personnel to use Army horses and equipment to hunt in off-duty hours; and on how many occasions Army personnel from non-mounted units have been permitted to hunt in duty hours in 1991, 1992 and 1993.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Army personnel from mounted units, and those involved in their training, are not permitted to use Army horses or equipment to hunt in off-duty hours. Army personnel from non-mounted units are required to pay for the hire of Army horses to hunt in off-duty hours. They would normally provide their own equipment.

Figures showing the number of occasions on which Army personnel from non-mounted units have been permitted to hunt in duty hours in 1991, 1992, and 1993 could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether cub hunting is permitted on Ministry of Defence land.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Yes.