MR. LEES-KNOWLES (Salford, W.)In the absence of the hon. Member for the Nuneaton Division of Warwickshire, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now state what steps he is prepared to take in the case of Emma Lee, lately an inmate of the Coventry Industrial School; and if he is prepared to take such steps as may prevent the recurrence of any similar punishment being inflicted on any other inmate of that school as was recently inflicted on Emma Lee?
§ MR. ASQUITHI have carefully gone into this case, and have come to the conclusion that the superintendence and management of the school ought no longer to be entrusted to the matron, and that she should be called upon to resign. I have given instructions that a letter shall be sent to this effect to the managers. I have also conveyed to them my opinion that the flogging of girls for petty offences is an indefensible practice, and the infliction of flogging in any case in the presence of the whole school is altogether inexcusable.