§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLasked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been directed to the fact that Mr. Justice Lawrence sentenced at the Assizes at Cardiff, last week, no fewer than eleven persons to the punishment of the lash, in addition to terms of imprisonment; whether any of the floggings had been inflicted; and whether the sentences would be considered by the Home Office, with a view to the remission or reduction of the punishment, particularly in view of the Criminal Appeal Act which would come into operation in a few days, and also that these punishments were in the discretion of the Judge and were not fixed by law.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have not had the opportunity of making myself acquainted with the circumstances, beyond the fact that the offences of which these men were convicted were offences of robbery with violence. The sentences were passed by a most careful and humane Judge, and I have no reason to think there is any ground for interference.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLBut if these floggings have not been inflicted, and in view of the Act shortly to come into force, does the right hon. Gentleman decline to review the sentences?
§ MR. GLADSTONEI see no ground for interfering.
§ MR. LUPTON (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)Is not the tendency of barbarous punishments to cause barbarity?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order; that is a matter of opinion.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLDoes the right hon. Gentleman decline to inquire into the infliction of these savage punishments?
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have nothing to add to what I have said.