HC Deb 29 January 1996 vol 270 c536W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 17 January,Official Report, column 581, what are the principal duties of the equerries; how they are chosen for the post; what is the normal term of duty. [11567]

Mr. Soames

Equerries are chosen from candidates nominated by the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. The equerry to Her Majesty the Queen serves for three years; the others serve for two years.

The equerries provide support to their royal highnesses in arranging and planning visits and engagements both at home and abroad. In addition, they attend on their royal highnesses at official engagements, host guests at private and public functions and deal with routine correspondence.