§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel are members of military bands of the(a) Royal Navy, (b) Army, (c) RAF and (d) Royal Marines. [11169]
§ Mr. SpellarThe number of personnel who were members of military bands as at 1 July 1997—the latest figures available—was:
Number (a) Royal Navy 0 (b) Army 1,139 (c) RAF 204 (d) Royal Marines 295 Total 1,638 Additionally, there are 864 personnel serving in Territorial Army bands. These are not fully funded, but receive grants from public funds.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military bands in the(a) Army, (b) Royal Navy, (c) RAF and (d) Royal Marines are fully funded by his Department. [11168]
§ Mr. SpellarThere are 30 Regular Army, five Royal Marines and four RAF bands that are fully funded by my Department. The Royal Navy as such does not have any fully funded bands, but uses the Royal Marines bands for ceremonial and other occasions.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to his Department of maintaining the military bands of the(a) Navy, (b) Army, (c) RAF and (d) Royal Marines. [11170]
§ Mr. SpellarI will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.