§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces worked as stewards at the 1996 Wimbledon lawn tennis championship; how they were selected; if they were recompensed for the work; what was the total cost of the service; and what proportion of this was borne(a) by the championship organisers and (b) from public funds. [38686]
§ Mr. SoamesThe total number of members of the armed forces who worked as stewards at the 1996 Wimbledon lawn tennis championship was 275.
Service personnel volunteer for duties at the Wimbledon tennis championships as part of a historical association stretching back to 1946. They are allowed to 210W wear service uniform, but are required to take annual leave. They are not paid for their participation but are recompensed for their expenses by the championship organisers—the All England tennis club.
There is no cost to public funds.