HC Deb 20 April 1995 vol 258 cc227-9W
Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether armed forces personnel who hunt are liable for of hours per week they are contracted to work for the organisation. [19433]

Mr. Freeman

The information requested is as follows:

  • Offset adviser: Mr. David Mitchell
  • Company: British Aerospace Defence Ltd.
  • Duration of contract: two years to October 1995
  • Bonuses: The responsibility of his Company
  • Hours per week: 41 hours including meal breaks

The post of international finance adviser, at present, is a fixed-term appointment as a civil servant and is not classed as a secondee.

  • IFA: Mr. Miles Faulkner
  • Previous company: Trafalgar house
  • Duration of contract: Two years extended by one year to March 1996
  • Bonuses: Eligible for normal civil service performance-related pay
  • Hours per week: Four days per week—32.8 hours

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 22 November 1994,Official Report, column 139, if he will give the net cost of the Defence Export Services Organisation in each year from 1979–80 to 1992–93. [19432]

Mr. Freeman

Final outturn figures for the Defence Export Services Organisation for the years 1988–89 to 1992–93 are as stated below. Figures before 1988–89 are not readily available.

the costs of the support staff who drive the horseboxes and care for the horses; and what those costs are as a daily rate and in total for each year since 1991. [19539]

Mr. Soames

Members of the armed forces who are permitted to hunt during duty time are not liable for the costs of military drivers and grooms as such costs arise irrespective of participation in hunting or any other form of training and are therefore not additional.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost of fuel used by the Household Cavalry in attending fox hunt meets that has been reimbursed to the Ministry of Defence for each year since 1991. [19537]

Mr. Soames

The costs of fuel used by members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in travelling to fox hunt meets are met privately by the individuals taking part. The requirement for reimbursement does not, therefore, arise.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances it is permitted for individuals who are not serving members of the armed forces to use army horses or equipment to hunt; and what charges are made for the use of such equipment. [19540]

Mr. Soames

Individuals who are not serving members of the armed forces are not permitted to use Army horses or equipment to hunt.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence from what date members of the armed forces who hunt have been liable for the costs of fuel for transport to and from hunt meets. [19538]

Mr. Soames

So far as we have been able to determine, members of the armed forces who are permitted to hunt have always been liable for the costs of fuel for transport to and from hunt meets.