5. Mr. JONESfurther asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether flogging as a punishment still persist in the Indian Army?
§ Earl WINTERTONA commanding officer of a unit on active service may award corporal punishment not exceeding 12 strokes with a rattan to followers who are menial servants. This is the only case in which corporal punishment can be awarded in the Indian Army, whether in peace or war
Mr. JONESIs it not the right hon. Gentleman's opinion, and the opinion of the Government, that the time has come to do away with this form of punishment in the Indian Army, as in the British Army?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that it is in the Army. It refers only to those followers, who are in a very different category, and a this punishment is only used in very exceptional circumstances, I see no reason why it should be abolished
Mr. JONESIs it not desirable to abolish it in the case of menial servants, as in the case of other people?
§ Earl WINTERTONIt is a matter on which the hon. Member must form his own opinion. My opinion is to the contrary