HC Deb 18 May 1905 vol 146 cc748-50
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make with reference to the case of a midshipman on H.M.S. "Kent," who, having been sentenced by a mock Court-martial to be flogged, defended himself with a revolver; whether the commander of H.M.S. "Kent" or the other officers on board were aware of the treatment of this midshipman by his associates; and what steps were taken to protect him; who was the president of this mock Court-martial; and whether flogging with the flat of a dirk is the usual penalty inflicted by these mock Courts-martial; and whether the Admiralty authorities intend to take steps to put an end to such treatment on the King's ships.

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PEETYMAN, Suffolk, Wood-bridge)

In September, 1903, it came to the knowledge of the Admiralty that in a ship in the Channel Fleet there was a practice of private punishment in the gun room. Orders were immediately issued that this system must be at once put down, and a circular letter was addressed to all commanders-in-chief forbidding such a practice, and desiring that commanding officers of His Majesty's ships might have their grave responsibility in the matter impressed upon them. For the intervening eighteen mouths no further case has come to the knowledge of the Admiralty. On the evening of the 2nd instant, however, a midshipman of the "Kent" who was about to receive a caning from the senior midshipman, fired a revolver at him. The Admiralty, on receiving the report of the Rear Admiral commanding the First Cruiser Squadron and that of the Court of Inquiry, decided at once to supersede the captain of the "Kent" and to place him on half pay; and the others concerned were suitably dealt with. A further circular letter has now been issued to the Fleet making it perfectly clear that the Admiralty are determined that this practice shall cease.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

And what has become of the boy who saved himself from outrage by firing the revolver? I hope he is not to be punished.

MR. PRETYMAN

The boy has been withdrawn from the Navy by his parents.

MR. BRIGHT (Shropshire, Oswestry)

In view of the great gravity of the question, will the hon. Gentleman appoint a Committee to inquire into the question of flogging in the Navy?

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I shall bring this up later on.