§ 12. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Home Department what action he intends to take following the recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights that the use of corporal punishment in the Isle of Man is degrading and inhuman treatment.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe judgment found the penalty in the case in question to be degrading punishment. It did not find it to be inhuman. As I indicated in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Walker) on 25th April, I am considering the implications of the judgment in consultation with the Government of the Isle of Man and the authorities in Jersey and Guernsey.
§ Mr. CanavanIt is not a bit hypocritical for us to condemn the use of corporal punishment upon British subjects in places such as Saudi Arabia when we are virtually the only country in Europe which tolerates the use of judicial corporal punishment on the Isle of Man and so-called educational corporal punishment in our schools system? As the European Court is at present considering another complaint from a Scottish parent about the use of corporal punishment in schools, may I ask that the Government take immediate legislative steps to stop this brutal practice, because we are in danger of being publicly branded as the barbarians of Europe?
§ Mr. ReesI do not know about our being hypocritical. I can tell my hon. Friend that I am against corporal punishment. There is a proper method of proceeding with this matter. The Isle of Man is not responsible to the House of Commons in the normal fashion. I hope, therefore, that my hon. Friend will allow the matter to be dealt with. Ultimately, I believe, the matter will be resolved.
§ Mr. McCrindleIf we are to reject corporal punishment—as many of us on both sides of the House would wish—is there not a need to reassure the public that alternative methods, including a greater use of short, sharp sentences, are being vigorously pursued and supported by Her Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. ReesI should be interested to know what short, sharp sentences are. Certainly there would have to be alternative ways of dealing with people who commit crime.