§ 21. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the wide disparity in the circumstances in which corporal punishment can or cannot be inflicted in various British colonies, if he will inquire why this disparity exists and seek the general abolition of this form of punishment in all colonial areas; what, in general, are the views of native authorities on this matter; and. pending abolition, whether power to inflict corporal punishment will be reserved only for higher courts.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsI am having a full examination made into the whole question of the infliction of corporal punishment throughout the Colonial Empire, and a statement will be made when this examination is completed.
§ Mr. SorensenDo I understand from the reply that my right hon. Friend is himself disquieted at the reports he has received about the frequency of flogging?
§ Mr. GriffithsI think that an examination of the whole problem is desirable.