HC Deb 01 August 1946 vol 426 cc1189-90
5. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the total number of male and female delinquents now in remand homes and approved schools, respectively; whether the Regulations respecting corporal punishment in these institutions have been revised; what are the records of the infliction of this punishment for the last available period; in how many cases were six strokes or over administered; and what is the largest number of strokes administered and for what offences.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)

As the answer to my hon. Friend's Question includes a number of figures, I will, with his permission, have it printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Sorensen

May we take it that consideration will be given to this matter in view of the promises made some months ago?

Mr. Ede

The matter is under consideration. I think my hon. Friend will gain enlightenment from my answer to his Question.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Will the Minister answer at any rate the second part of the Question, either in the affirmative or in the negative?

Mr. Ede

No revision of the Regulations has yet taken place.

Mr. Sorensen

When is there likely to be a revision?

Following is the answer:

On 30th June, 1946, there were 934 boys and 181 girls in remand homes and 9,101 boys and 2,102 girls in approved schools. The statutory rules governing the administration of corporal punishment in remand homes and approved schools were made in 1939 and 1933, respectively, and have not been revised since. During the quarter ended 30th June, 1946, corporal punishment was administered to 296 boys in remand homes and, apart from cases in which it was given for minor offences in the schoolroom, to 949 boys. and seven girls in approved schools. Of these, 599 boys each received six or more strokes of the cane, and two girls each received six strokes.

The largest number of strokes that it is permissible to administer is 12, which may, however, be given only to boys of the age of 15 years or over in approved schools, in exceptional cases and with the special approval of one of the school managers; the rules do not specify the offences for which this maximum penalty may be inflicted, but, during the quarter ended 30th June, 1946, four boys were so punished for absconding (two cases), gross misconduct (one case) and stealing (one case).