§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the costs and sources of finance for military bands for the last year for which figures are available; and what estimate he can make of the costs and their sources after the present reorganisation.
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 13 May 1994]: The cost of Army music to departmental funds in 1993–94 was around £46 million. This covered the costs of manpower, phase 1 training, transport, and the running costs of the Royal Military school of music. It excluded the costs of basic and certain full dress uniforms, food, accommodation, travel and subsistence, which cannot be identified separately. All other items were funded at non-public expense. The annual cost to public funds of the smaller structure announced in March 1993 and to be implemented from 1 April 1995 is likely to be in the order of £30 million, which includes the costs of manpower, phase 1 training, transport, maintenance and insurance of uniforms and instruments, replacement instruments, and running the Royal Military school of music. The likely costs of food, accommodation, travel and subsistence cannot be identified separately. In addition, the cost of providing the new bands with instruments and appropriate uniforms will be met from public funds.