§ 31. Mr. Dayasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that courts of summary jurisdiction sometimes exercise the, power given them by law to order boys under 14 years 1036 of age found guilty of indictable offences to be birched; and will he consider introducing legislation that will make this punishment illegal for children of this age?
§ Sir S. HoareI would refer the hon. Member to Clause 32 of the Criminal Justice Bill.
§ Mr. DayCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether, if a Private Member's Bill were introduced to amend this legislation, the Government would support it?
§ Sir S. HoareIf the hon. Member will look at the Clause of the Bill to which I have referred him, he will see that a Private Member's Bill will be unnecessary.