HC Deb 19 April 1944 vol 399 cc190-1
38. Mr. Riley

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the immediate abolition of the discrimina- tion which at present exists regarding the infliction of corporal punishment on coloured West Africans serving in His Majesty's Forces while not applicable for the same offences committed to British white soldiers serving in Africa.

The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Mr. Arthur Henderson)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leyton (Mr Sorensen) yesterday.

Mr. Riley

Can we be told categorically whether there is any discrimination in the punishment of coloured and white British troops for offences of a similar character?

Mr. Henderson

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, when he replied yesterday to a similar Question, made it clear that coloured troops come under a disciplinary code which is subject to Colonial legislation and that white troops come under King's Regulations.

Mr. Sorensen

What representations is the hon. and learned Gentleman or the Secretary of State for War making to the Colonial Office on this matter?

Mr. Henderson

My right hon. Friend said yesterday that he had consulted the Colonial Secretary and the hon. Member had better put any other question down.

Mr. Rhys Davies

In view of the fact that the flogging of coloured men for offences for which white men are not flogged has caused a great deal bf disquiet in this country, will my hon. and learned Friend take some action?

Mr. Henderson

I can assure my hon. Friend that as a result of the representations which have been made we are examining the whole of this problem.