§ 13. Mr. Moelwyn Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War how many officers in the Army are accorded the exclusive services of a soldier as a batman; and whether there is any differentiation in the number of batmen to officers as between one unit of the Army and another?
§ Captain MargessonThe allotment of batmen varies according to the rank of the officer, the type of unit and other conditions. The number of officers to whom a batman is allotted could not be obtained without calling for a special return. In order to correct misunderstandings to which certain recent Press articles may have given rise, I would like to take this opportunity of making it clear that batmen are fully armed and trained soldiers and are available for ordinary duties in the ranks.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the serious man-power position in this country, how long does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman propose to continue this wasteful system of valeting?
§ Captain MargessonWe do not consider it is a wasteful system.
§ Sir Henry Morris-JonesCannot something be done by regulating batmanship in the Army upon a rather smaller scale?
§ Captain MargessonI think I issued a statement some time ago showing the scale upon which it exists.
§ Mr. BellengerCannot the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider revising the war establishments, without doing away with the system altogether? There is no doubt, as has been pointed out by my hon. Friend, that at the present time there is probably a wastage of manpower.
§ Mr. HughesWhat distinguishes some units from others in regard to the number of batmen?
§ Captain MargessonI think the answer is shown in the statement to which I have referred.