§ 73. Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the sentences of thirty lashes and twenty-four lashes with the cat, 418 imposed by Mr. Justice Darling on two men who protected and lived on, and with, prostitutes; whether there is any maximum to the number of lashes that can be inflicted for this offence; and whether he will allow the public and Press to be present to witness the execution of the sentence? [The hon. Member: In the question I handed in the word protected was in inverted commas.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not allowed.
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first question is in the affirmative; to the second and third, in the negative. The Act requires the punishment to be administered privately. The sentences are, of course, subject to appeal.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he adheres to the statement that the skin is not broken when these sentences are being executed, and whether, in view of that he will get a report from an independent doctor on these cases which Members of the House who are interested in this question can see in order to be certain that is so.
§ Mr. McKENNAI have had no information on the subject since I made that statement to the House. The statement I then made was made on the best evidence which could be brought before me.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODCould we have an independent report from a medical officer?
§ Mr. McKENNANo. I think that the medical officer of the prison is sufficient.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODCan we have a report from the medical officer of the prison?