§ MR. CLYNESI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether with reference to the case of a boy in Battle workhouse who was given six strokes with a cane on the bare back by the master, he has yet received a report from the Battle guardians, together with statements in writing from the master and the medical officer of Battle workhouse; and whether, seeing that the majority of the Battle guardians disapproved of the stripping of the boy in this instance, and that the use of corporal punishment is disallowed in the case of girls in workhouses, he will prohibit in future the infliction of corporal punishment on the nude bodies of boys.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI have received the report and statements referred to. I do not think that a cane should be used on the naked body of a boy, and I find that the guardians have instructed the master not to administer any corporal punishment on the naked flesh of any boy unless previously sanctioned by them. I do not consider it necessary to take any further action in the matter.