HC Deb 13 April 1949 vol 463 cc2812-3
13. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what offences corporal punishment may be inflicted in Tanganyika.

Mr. Rees-Williams

As the reply is necessarily somewhat long I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Skinnard

Can the Minister tell the House whether the reply is long because of the number of offences or for other reasons?

Mr. Rees-Williams

It is long because I am giving my hon. Friend the information for which he asked.

Following is the reply:

Corporal punishment in Tanganyika is inflicted under the Penal Code for certain offences against morality, persons, animals and property. Offences against the persons include robbery with violence and aggravated assaults. Offences against property include burglary, house-breaking and similar offences where previous conviction exists in a similar offence. In addition corporal punishment is authorised for juveniles convicted of offences punishable under the Penal Code and other laws.

Prisons legislation permits corporal punishment of convicted criminal prisoners for

  1. (a) Mutiny
  2. (b) Incitement to mutiny
  3. (c) Personal violence to Prison Officers.

Native courts may only inflict corporal punishment on adults for

  1. (a) Indecent assaults
  2. (b) Assaults aggravated by the age, sex or condition of the victim or particular savagery on the part of the offender.
  3. (c) Stock theft.
and on juveniles convicted of offences punishable under any Laws which Native courts are empowered to enforce. All sentences of corporal punishment imposed by Native Courts whether on adults or juveniles are subject to confirmation by an administrative officer.