§ 32. Mr. Radfordasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a case of gross cruelty at Liverpool, in which a boy aged 12 so ill-treated a captive monkey that its owner found it lying dead with head injuries, including extensive bruising on the face and several teeth missing; that the magistrates imposed the maximum penalty of 40s., expressing regret that they could not order birching; and, in view of this and similar cases, whether he will introduce legislation to enable magistrates to order birching in such cases?
§ Sir S. HoareThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, there are, as my hon. Friend knows, differences of opinion as to the efficacy of corporal punishment in such cases, and the matter is discussed in the report of the recent Committee on Corporal Punishment.
§ Mr. RadfordDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that the very least we owe to helpless creatures like this little monkey is all the protection that can be given by our laws; and, if so, does he think that a paltry fine as a maximum punishment is a reasonable deterrent?
§ Sir S. HoareIt would not be proper for me to comment on the decision of the magistrates, but I would point out to my hon. Friend that several alternatives were open to them and that they, for their own reasons, chose this one. As to the general question which he raises, I should prefer to deal with it in a discussion rather than in answers to questions.
§ Mr. RadfordWas it within the power of these magistrates to have that boy birched, if they had so desired?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, I do not think it was.
§ Mr. G. StraussIs not this case obviously of a type more suitable for mental treatment than for physical?