HC Deb 15 March 1937 vol 321 c1642
86. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent cases in which magisterial benches have sentenced young boys to birching; and whether he intends to take any action to check the growth of this practice?

Sir J. Simon

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield (Mr. Lovat-Fraser) on 18th February.

Mr. Williams

Has the right hon. Gentleman had his attention called to a recent case in which one boy, after the birch, is said to have committed suicide?

Mr. Thorne

Does the Home Secretary think in his own mind that birching boys does them any good?