§ 21. Mr. Patonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will abolish capital punishment and corporal punishment for rape in British Colonies.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsAbolition of either type of punishment would, of course, require legislation in the territories where it exists. I will communicate with the Governors of the three territories concerned on the question of the capital penalty for rape. With regard to the abolition of corporal punishment for this offence, I would refer my hon. Friend to the written reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 22nd November.
§ Mr. PatonIs my right hon. Friend aware that in November, 1949, the United Nations Assembly passed a resolution urging Great Britain and Belgium to abandon corporal punishment and whipping in their territories; and is it not desirable that our own practice in such matters should be brought into conformity with the practice of every other civilised country?
§ Mr. GriffithsI appreciate that, and, as I indicated in reply to my hon. Friend, I am communicating with the Governors.