§ MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty why, in view of the fact that boys at public schools are not really held down, it is considered necessary in the Navy not only to tie the boys down but to flog them in public; and why the boys of the working classes should be subjected to the degradation of being flogged in public, when such is not the case with the sons of other classes.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman) The reason for securing a boy is the same in principle, although the exact method may differ. As regards the publicity of the punishment, no degradation is intended; the only purpose is to secure a deterrent example. All punishments in His Majesty's Navy are public.
§ MR. HUNTTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether boys under eighteen in the Navy can still be given twenty-four strokes with the birch, two men giving twelve strokes each; and whether a boy after being birched is taken to the sick bay to be attended by the doctor, and afterwards kept a prisoner guarded by a Marine for about twelve hours.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) The Answer to the first and second parts of the Question is in the affirmative; but this punishment is only inflicted in very exceptional and serious cases, and the inspection by the doctor is precautionary, as is the similar inspection before the punishment takes place. The boy is treated as a prisoner to prevent the possibility of his committing himself in any way after his punishment.