§ 15. Mr. RAWLINSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sentences involving the infliction of the cat have been passed on convictions under the recent Criminal Law 1309 Amendment Act; how many of such convictions were in cases of complaints by wives against husbands; and how many of such convictions or sentences have been reversed on appeal?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)I have no complete information on the subject. Convictions under this Act or any other Act are not reported as they occur to the Home Office; and full Returns are not available until the end of the year when the Annual Judicial Statistics are compiled. I find on inquiry that in the London prisons one sentence of whipping under the new Act has been carried out.
§ Mr. RAWLINSONAre not floggings ordered reported to the Home Office, including the one set aside last week?
§ Mr. McKENNANo. The floggings which take place in prisons are all reported to the Home Office, but not floggings which take place under the orders of the Court.
§ Sir W. BYLESCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these sentences are upon procurers, and whether the special object of passing the Act was not to get at that class of offenders?
§ Mr. McKENNAPerhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice of that question.