asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that military vehicles or equipment should never be used for the transport of private horses owned by service personnel; and if he will make a statement.
If the purpose of a journey is related to authorised activity, military vehicles may be used to transport private horses owned by service personnel if this is the most cost-effective option. If it is not related to authorised activity, military vehicles may still be used subject to availability and to the full cost being recovered. I see no reason to alter this policy.
| Cars registered in a company name by engine size (c.c.) | |||||||||||
| Thousands | |||||||||||
| Over | 1,000 | 1,200 | 1,300 | 1,500 | 1,600 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,500 | 3,000 | All vehicles | |
| Not over | 1,000 | 1,200 | 1,300 | 1,500 | 1,600 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,500 | 3,000 | ||
| 65·8 | 55·9 | 130·9 | 51·0 | 240·9 | 121·2 | 113·3 | 48·1 | 29·3 | 15·1 | 871·4 | |
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that volunteers only should be in attendance on duty at organised equestrian events involving service personnel; and if he will make a statement.
Encouraging participation in sporting events is an important part of maintaining the well-being and physical efficiency of service personnel. There is generally no shortage of volunteers to organise and take part in such events; and all personnel selected for equestrian trades are volunteers. However, certain organisational duties in support of sporting events do not necessarily lend themselves to the use of volunteers
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that time spent participating in equestrian activity by officers, and currently treated as duty hours, should in future be counted against leave entitlement; and if he will make a statement.
No. Such a policy would not be consistent with the Army's policy on participation in sports and physical activity. It would also be contrary to the purpose for which leave is granted.