§ 55. Mr. HICKSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the inquest on Private Stanley Madin, aged 19 years, of the Northants Regiment; whether it is usual for any young soldier in His Majesty's Army to be placed under the control of the wife of any officer and made to perform domestic duties in that officer's home; and whether he will issue instructions that officers shall be required to provide in their homes their own domestic servants and that soldiers shall not be subject to military discipline for inefficiency in such domestic duties?
§ Mr. COOPERI have seen a newspaper report of the inquest. King's Regulations permit the employment of soldiers, when available, as officers' servants, as an indulgence. No soldier can be ordered to perform domestic duties, but he may do so voluntarily. He is not subject to military discipline for inefficiency in the performance of such duties. I see no reason for the issue of any instructions on the subject.
§ Mr. HICKSDo I understand from the hon. Gentleman that, in the event of an officer threatening to report such a servant for military discipline, the hon. Gentleman would take action to see that the man was dealt with properly?
§ Mr. COOPERCertainly.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREDoes my hon. Friend see any material difference between performing domestic duties in an officer's home and in an officers' mess?