§ 12. Mr. Hastingsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of three girls who stated that they absconded from St. Barbara's approved 1475 school at Purbrook, Hampshire, because they were ordered to kill chickens; to what extent the killing of chickens is part of the regular training in approved schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonSt. Barbara's is a probation home approved under Section 46 (1) of the Criminal Justice Act, 1948, for the reception of girls between the ages of 17 and 21 who have been placed on probation, and sent there by the courts for training. Training is given in domestic subjects, poultry-keeping and gardening. I am informed that, although some girls who have had previous experience of killing poultry have done so voluntarily, this is not part of the regular training, and no girls have at any time been ordered to do it.
§ Mr. HastingsWill the hon. and learned Gentleman take precautions, in future, to see that no chickens meet their deaths at the hands of reluctant heroines?
§ Mr. RentonI can assure the hon. Gentleman that the wringing of necks is a voluntary, and not a compulsory, part of this reformative training.