§ 1. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Secretary of State for Air how many batmen are employed at Thornaby Royal Air Force Station by officers living in married quarters; and what are their duties.
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Nigel Birch)Three are employed part-time. The duties are similar to those carried out by batmen in an officers' mess.
§ Mr. ChetwyndDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it right that Regular Royal Air Force personnel should be engaged upon cleaning and polishing thoroughly on Monday the lounge and hall; and dusting and mopping the dining room and morning room? This is an extract from a document for which a constituent of mine was put on five days' confinement to barracks for sending to me? Does the right hon. Gentleman think it right that the time of these men should be wasted in this way? Should not these jobs be performed by the officers' wives?
§ Mr. BirchI think the hon. Gentleman knows that all Regular batmen are volunteers. I think that the case to which he is referring happened some time ago.