MR. ASSHETON CROSS,in moving for leave to bring in a Bill for the further security of the persons of Her Majesty's subjects from personal violence, said, it was evident that some further provision was necessary for dealing with cases of brutal assault. With that view he proposed, in some measure, to extend the power given to magistrates with regard to binding over persons guilty of aggravated assaults to keep the peace. It was also proposed to do something in the direction of flogging by giving the power of flogging to Courts of Oyer and Terminer in cases of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, if such intent should be found by a jury, and in cases of aggravated assault on women and children, but the number of lashes was to be reduced from 50 to 25.
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONsaid, the right hon. Gentleman must be prepared to expect a determined opposition to that part of the Bill which proposed to inflict the torture of flogging.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill for the further security of the persons of Her Majesty's subjects from personal violence, ordered to be brought in by Mr. Secretary CROSS, Mr. ATTORNEY GENERAL, and Sir HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON.
§ Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 155.]
§ House adjourned at a quarter after One o'clock.