HC Deb 14 June 1944 vol 400 cc1979-80
51. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many convicted persons received corporal punishment as penalties for offences during the last year, for which the records are available, in each of the West African Colonies; and the total number of such penalties during the past 10 years.

Colonel Stanley

Owing to war-time restrictions on statistical returns, the most recent figures available are those for 1938. I am asking the Governors for more up-to-date information and will send it to the hon. Member when I receive it.

Mr. Sorensen

What was the number in the last available year?

Colonel Stanley

If the hon. Gentleman puts down a Question, I will give the figure to him, but I must point out before I do so that, since 1938, further instructions on this subject have been issued to Governors, which have largely altered the administration in this respect.

Mr. Sorensen

Are we to deduce from that, that the figures for the last year are so bad that they cannot be given in this House?

Colonel Stanley

No, Sir, certainly not. The hon. Member may deduce from it that since the figures were published there has been a change in policy in regard to administration in this matter.

Sir Alfred Beit

Is it not a fact that the number of offences for which corporal punishment can be imposed in West Africa has been very much reduced?