§ *MR. JOSEPH A. PEASE (Northumberland, Tyneside)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is any intention to revise the prison rules or amend the laws which relate to corporal punishment for offences connected with breaches of prison discipline; and, if so, what is the character of the alterations it is intended to make?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolI am laying a new rule on the subject of corporal punishment on the Table of the House to-day; but cannot deal with the matter so fully as I could wish without the further legislation which, as the hon. Member is aware, I have already proposed to Parliament, but which there has been no time to pass during the present Session.
§ *MR. JOSEPH A. PEASEI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether there is any intention to revise the prison rules or amend the laws which relate to corporal punishment for offences connected with breaches of discipline in Military prisons; and, if so, what is the character of the alterations it is intended to make?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.Yes, Sir; the question of amending the rules referred to is under consideration; it is proposed to reduce the number of offences for which corporal punishment can be awarded, and to require that the order for it be given by three instead of by two visitors.