§ 24. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied respecting the existing regulations dealing with the administration of corporal punishment in remand homes and approved schools; and whether he has considered a recent case, particulars of which have been sent to him.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIf, as I understand, my hon. Friend is referring to a case in which a boy was found guilty of stealing when released on licence from an approved school, and was reported to have said that all boys sent back to the school got the birch for several weeks, I can assure him that there is no foundation for this statement. The administration of corporal punishment in remand homes and approved schools is subject to close restriction and I have no reason to think that the existing regulations require amendment or that they are not in general carefully observed. I am sending a copy of the relevant rules to my hon. Friend, Any complaints received are fully investigated.
§ Mr. SorensenMay I take it that the boy was not birched, although it was so stated in court, and will the Minister see that at least the reticence to birch in juvenile courts is also made to apply to these cases?
§ Mr. MorrisonMy hon. Friend should not assume that the authorities are guilty. He must not believe the worst in every case. The fact is that this was a naughty boy, otherwise he would not have been sent to an approved school, and he added to his naughtiness by telling untruths about the matter in the court