HC Deb 26 March 1934 vol 287 cc1631-3
44. Mr. HICKS

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Private Stanley Madin, recently of the Northants Regiment, was advised in September, 1933, prior to his appointment as an officer's servant, that his new duties were voluntary and not subject to military discipline; whether such appointment entitles an officer's wife to issue instructions to such servants; and whether he will, in the public interest, institute an inquiry into this case?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)

I have now received a full report on this case. The late Private Madin volunteered to undertake the duties of officer's servant. He was warned that if he was unable to perform his duties satisfactorily he would be returned to ordinary duty, but that he would not be punished for inability to perform domestic duties. A soldier servant does not come under the orders of an officer's wife. I see no reason for taking action as suggested in the last part of the question.

Mr. HICKS

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that soldiers, if they refuse to accept jobs as batmen to officers, do not fear the consequences?

Mr. COOPER

I am quite satisfied of that, and, as a general rule, soldiers are very anxious for these jobs.

Mr. HICKS

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a big volume of public opinion to the effect that while batmen may legitimately be used as an indulgence to officers, they should not be used as domestic servants to officers' wives?

Lieut.-Colonel C. MacANDREW

Is it not the case that there is a tremendous demand for these jobs because of the extra pay?

Mr. COOPER

That is the case and if an officer's wife occasionally asks her husband's servant to do something for her, he will naturally perform such duties. No complaints of difficulty have ever arisen.

Mr. HICKS

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these are instances where officers' wives have reported the behaviour of men, who have joined the Army for a military career and not for the purpose of entering domestic service; and that when men have become batmen, if they have not responded to the wishes of officers' wives, they have been reported to the officers and the officers have then threatened to report them to the guardroom and to give them such fatigues as sanitary fatigues?

Mr. COOPER

I have not heard of any such cases, and that certainly did not occur in the case under consideration.

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE

Cannot an officer's servant ask to be returned to ordinary duty any time he likes; and is not such a request always complied with?

Mr. HICKS

In view of the incomplete and unsatisfactory answers which I have received, I give notice that I will raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment.