§ MR. JEFFREYS (Hants, Basingstoke)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received the following presentment lately made by the Grand Jury of Hampshire, with the approval of Mr. Justice Hawkins—
That, owing to the increase of the crime of burglary, we would suggest that when burglars are found in possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons, the law should provide that such persons should be liable to corporal punishment, and that this punishment should also be inflicted on persons convicted of brutal violence towards women and children;and, if the Government will take any steps to carry out this presentment of the Grand Jury?
§ MR. MATTHEWSYes, Sir; I have received such a presentment. The infliction of corporal punishment is contrary to the spirit of recent legislation, and the Government would not propose to 1798 revert to this system of punishment unless there were strong grounds for supposing that the present law is not sufficiently deterrent in the case of the crimes referred to. There may, however, be cases where the violence is exceptionally brutal, and where the evidence of identity is beyond question. In such cases the application of corporal punishment might have a useful effect. I will consult the Lord Chancellor whether any amendment of the existing law is desirable or necessary.