Sir F. Burdettdesired to ask the right hon. 1265 Secretary at War whether he would have any objection to cause a return to be made of the number of corporal punishments inflicted in each regiment of the line respectively, during the past year.
§ Sir H. Hardingesaid, he certainly should object to a return of such a description as to specify the relative punishments of regiments, well knowing that it would be considered in the army as a proceeding of a very invidious character. Some regiments might appear to be stigmatised and unfavourably reported,—not on account of peculiar misconduct, but merely because they were placed under circumstances of greater temptation than their brother soldiers had been. He would readily supply the hon. Baronet with information personally, if he required any, but he could not consent to a statement of comparative punishments being laid before the House.
§ Sir H. Hardingeadded, that no such returns had ever been made. At the same time he should have no objection to state to the hon. Baronet the number of punishments in each regiment, although he could not consent that it should be made the subject of a formal return.