HC Deb 22 March 1937 vol 321 cc2556-8
62. Mr. W. H. Green

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the many protests relating to the birching of boys and of the widespread feeling against the continuance of this form of punishment for children, he will consider appointing a Departmental Committee to inquire into the matter?

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Members for East Hull (Mr. Muff) and Central Southwark (Mr. Day) on Thursday last.

Mr. Green

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether it is the Minister's intention to include in the constitution of the committee representatives of women magistrates and others who have had experience of dealing with children; and, further, if there are children awaiting the infliction of this sentence at the time that the committee is sitting, will he afford the committee facilities for seeing the administration of the punishment?

Mr. Lloyd

My right hon. Friend pointed out, in the reply to which I have referred, that the members of the committee must be selected with a view to their approaching the subject with an open mind.

Mr. Leach

Would that debar persons who had been birched from being on the committee?

Mr. Rhys Davies

Are there any regulations governing the birching of boys; and, if so, can a copy of those regulations be placed in the Library of the House?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes, Sir, there are.

Mr. Green

Would the Minister agree that the members of the committee would not have their minds biased by seeing the infliction of the punishment?

Mr. Thorne

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the House any information as to the method adopted in the birching of boys; what amount of clothing is taken off; whether the boy is medically examined before and after punishment; the number of persons present during the birching; the date on which punishment was last administered to a girl; and whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the chief constable of Northampton in connection with the case of a boy who received six strokes of the birch?

Mr. Lloyd

As the Committee of Inquiry which my right hon. Friend is proposing to appoint will no doubt take evidence as to the methods adopted by the police, my right hon. Friend considers that it would be better not to make a statement on this subject, but I am sending to the hon. Member an extract from the Home Officer circular to police on the question of medical advice. The Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879, provides that the whipping shall be inflicted privately by a constable in the presence of a superior officer and of the parent if he desires to be present. The whipping of women and girls was abolished by an Act of 1820. I have not seen the statement referred to in the last part of the question.

Mr. Thorne

Will the Home Secretary advise stipendiaries and local justices to refrain from committing any more boys for birching until the Committee has reported?

Mr. Leach

Does the hon. Gentleman believe that an open mind on this matter is a desirable thing?