§ 51. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Secretary of State for Air how many airmen are engaged in performing duties as batmen and as servants to officers' wives.
§ Mr. NeaveNo airmen are employed as servants to officers' wives. Officers living in married quarters are entitled to batman service, but only to the same extent as officers living in mess.
§ Mr. ChetwyndIs it not a fact that many airmen are misused in this way by having to do household chores for the officers' wives? Will the hon. Gentleman examine this? It seems all wrong that they should be doing this and that the officers' wives should not be called upon to employ civilian labour in the normal way.
§ Mr. NeaveWe have rules for stewards, as they are called, in married quarters. They are the same as for those who work in mess. These duties are spent in looking after the officers' uniform and his room. These instructions are quite clear, and we are prepared to treat any breach of them as a serious matter.