asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of time is expended by batmen and waiters on military duties and their secondary employment, respectively.

The amount of time spent on duties as batmen or waiters and on other military duties varies so much according to circumstances that I can give no useful proportional figure.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a little too much? Surely the Minister can tell us how much of these men's time is used on other than military duties. Is he aware that we pay the piper and we have the right to call the tune? We have a right to know how they are employed.

It is about as difficult to supply this information as it would be if the hon. Member asked me how much time hon. Members spent in their con stituencies and how much in this House. It would need a great deal of research.

asked the Secretary of State for War what rank an officer must attain to become entitled to the service of a batman or to share the service of a batman.

Where practicable, all officers who are accommodated get the services of a batman or share such services.

Does that mean that even a "one pip" gets a batman, and does the right hon. Gentleman include cadets?

Yes, Sir. He gets one quarter of a batman.