§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the military drivers and grooms who act as support staff for armed forces personnel who attend fox hunts have a choice in undertaking these duties. [22397]
§ Mr. SoamesMembers of the armed forces who are permitted to hunt as part of their duties rely on volunteers to act as grooms and drivers.
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§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total income from hunts that have licences to hunt on his Department's land in 1994 to 1995; what was the increase made for inflation; and if these licences were open to public tender. [22398]
§ Mr. SoamesThe total income from licensing fox hunts to hunt over my Department's land during the 1994–95 fox hunting season was £779.45, including administration charges. Fees charged are not linked to inflationary increases but are based on the commercial judgment of the Defence Land Agent. These licences were not open to public tender due to insufficient demand to justify normal tender procedures.