§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Secretary Matthews.)
2006§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)This is legislating in a curious way; the second reading is moved in a whisper. This Bill is to enable the punishment of whipping to be inflicted upon young persons; and I suppose, under it, a child may be reduced to a mass of wounds, as in the case we read of in the papers the other day. After a long series of legislative attempts at the punishment of young criminals, and after we thought we were rid of the subject with the Bill of the hon. Member for Sheffield (Mr. Howard Vincent), we have the Government proposing the second reading of this Bill after 2 o'clock in the morning. Let anyone look at the Bill, and recognize the absurdity of proposing a Bill of this importance at this hour. I know I shall be told that this contemplated punishment by whipping will not be inflicted without the consent of the young persons themselves; but I say that the alternative of being returned for trial, or of getting six strokes with the birch rod, is an alternative that ought not to be put to a child of tender years. I beg to move the adjournment of the debate.
§ Motion made, and Question, "That the Debate be now adjourned,"—(Mr. T. M. Healy,)—put, and agreed to.
§ Debate adjourned till To-morrow.