§ 23. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for War if the offences for which corporal punishment may be administered to West African troops are similar in other colonial regiments; and if he has, or will secure, any record of such punishments respecting their nature and frequency.
§ Sir J. GriggThe only Colonial Forces which have provision for corporal punishment are those in West and East Africa. The nature of the offences for which East African troops are liable to corporal punishment is similar to that in the West African Forces.
§ Mr. SorensenCould the right hon. Gentleman say why there is this discrimination between West and East African troops on the one hand, and other Colonial troops? Could he also say when this barbarous and sadistic punishment arose?
§ Sir J. GriggThe hon. Member must be aware that the War Office has merely taken over these Forces since the outbreak of war, and took over with them the disciplinary codes, which are matters of Colonial legislation. If the hon. Member wants any information on both the matters he has now raised, he had better address a question to the Colonial Secretary.
§ Mr. SorensenSurely the right hon. Gentleman realises that he, as Secretary of State for War, has a great deal to do with this matter? Can he not himself consult the Colonial Secretary on what I have described as sadistic punishment?
§ Sir J. GriggI have naturally consulted the Colonial Secretary. What I said was that when the War Office take 12 over Forces in time of war, it takes over their disciplinary codes with them, and their disciplinary codes are matters for Colonial legislation.
§ Mr. SorensenWhy does not the right hon. Gentleman alter the codes himself?