§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they can now make any statement concerning the infliction of flogging on members of the Sudan Defence Force.]
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (LORD PAKENHAM)My Lords, the Governor-General of the Sudan has informed my right honourable friend that the General Officer Commanding has issued orders forbidding floggings except in cases of crimes with violence and of offences in the lines. Floggings can only be ordered by commanders of battalions. The effect of these rulings is that the penalty of flogging is now only inflicted in a very few cases. The Governor-General is forwarding statistics to my right honourable friend which I shall communicate to the noble Lord as soon as they are received.
LORD FARINGDONI should like to thank the noble Lord for his reply, and particularly for the promise contained at the end of it. I would, however, like to ask him whether in fact the provision which he mentioned at the beginning of his reply does in any way change the situation as it existed before. I ask that question in particular, because ever since 38 the end of the war I have made repeated inquiries in this matter and have been assured that as soon as the Force was put on a peace-time basis the whole matter would be thoroughly overhauled.
Is there any change? I cannot quite see where the change is. Offences of violence and offences in the lines seem to me to cover almost everything.
LORD PAKENHAMI think it mould be as well before replying to that to wait until we receive the further information which I have promised to the noble Lord.