Mr. T. F. RICHARDSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he was aware that 4,566 cases of flogging with the cane were reported to have taken place in the Navy during 1907; and would he say what action, if any, he intends to take to put an end to this form of punishment?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have been unable to trace the meaning of the figure suggested by the hon. Member as to the number of cases of caning in the Navy during 1907, unless it be the average number of boys borne on board ship. The actual number of canings in 1907 was under 1,000. The hon. Member is further mistaken in using the word "flogging"; flogging and birching, though still in the list of punishments authorised by the Naval Discipline Act, have been suspended by Admiralty Order, the former since 1881, and the latter since 30th January, 1906. The King's Regulations authorise caning on the breech with the clothes on in the case of boys and buglers under 18, but by Admiralty Orders dated 2nd March, 1906, this punishment is only to be inflicted under the actual order of the captain, and is not to be carried out in public.