§ MR. WEDGWOODI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state what punishments other than corporal punishment, are inflicted in reformatories, industrial schools, and truant schools respectively.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe punishments in question are practically the same in the three classes of schools and consist of:—(a) Forfeiture of rewards and privileges, or loss of rank previously obtained by good conduct; (b) Dietary punishment; (c) Confinement for a limited time in a light room or a light cell. There are, of course, other ways of reproving children which a judicious superintendent may order, for example, extra drill or less pleasant though necessary work.
§ MR. WEDGWOODI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will state what was 30 the number of cases of corporal punishment in reformatories, industrial schools, and truant schools, respectively, during 1907; in how many cases the child was a girl; in how many cases the child was under eight; and whether he will also state the kind of corporal punishment permitted, and the person by whom it may be ordered.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe punishment of whipping can be inflicted with the birch rod, by the superintendent, or, in some cases, by the head teacher; and there may be punishment on the palm of the hand, with the school cane, or, in Scotland, with a leather tawse. For many years the rules sanctioned for girls' schools have not authorised the infliction of corporal punishment; and even in old-established schools, such punishment is only inflicted in exceptional cases as a last resort, after due consideration by the managers. Children under eight years of age very rarely need corporal punishment, and when it is necessary it is very slight. It would be impossible without much labour to obtain a complete return of the cases of corporal punishment in these schools; and I do not think such a return is called for. The schools are conducted by responsible bodies of managers, who must be allowed some discretion in dealing with the children and young persons under their care; and I have no reason to think that there is any unnecessary use of corporal punishment.