HC Deb 04 July 1995 vol 263 cc183-4W
Mr. Byers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for each service, how many centres are involved in dog training and where are they located; what is the estimate of the cost of each centre in the current year; and for each centre how many dogs are estimated to be trained in the current year. [32219]

Mr. Soames

This is a matter for the Defence Animal Centre under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from A. H. Roache to Mr. Stephen Byers, dated 3 July 1995: The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question regarding the training of dogs. Following recent rationalisation, the Canine Wing of the Defence Animal Centre, located at Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, is the only centre involved in the training of dogs for the Armed Forces. It is also able to train dogs and handlers for other government departments. The cost of running the centre in the current year 1995–96 is estimated to be £6.85m which covers cash running costs as well as notional costs for all activities. The cost of canine activities alone is obviously less. It is estimated that 556 dogs will be trained in the current year. I hope you find this information useful.

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