§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that on board H.M.S. "Lion" at Devonport boys are constantly subjected to floggings with birches and canes for inability to swim a required distance; by whose authority, and on whose instigation, are these punishments inflicted; and whether it is intended to take any steps for the abolition of the punishment of flogging in the Navy for deficiency in physical strength.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN,) Suffolk, WoodbridgeThe Answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative; but, by the direction of the commanding officer of H.M.S. "Lion," certain boys who, through laziness and inattention during swimming instruction, failed to make sufficient progress, were after due warning punished by caning. In no case was any punishment inflicted where failure was due to deficiency in physical strength.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLAfter what investigation was it done? What inquiries were made into the conduct of the boys? Were they simply laughing?
§ MR. PRETYMANAfter careful investigation by the commanding officer and after due warning.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLHow many boys were flogged?
§ MR. PRETYMANI do not know how many were flogged, but I do know that before this light punishment was inflicted there were 126 boys who, after thirteen months instruction in swimming, had failed to profit by it—that was in January last—and now there are only seven, showing it is better that boys should be caned than run the risk of drowning.