§ 2.35 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To draw the attention of Her Majesty's Government to cases reported in the Manchester Guardian of 14th July, 1954, in which a resident magistrate in Kampala is reported to have sentenced 14 Africans convicted of robbery with violence to a total of 132 years imprisonment and 312 lashes; in another case, to have sentenced each of three Africans to 15 years imprisonment and two of them to 24 lashes; and in a third case, to have sentenced two African footpads to 7 years hard labour and 24 lashes each; to ask whether such sentences are not at variance with the policy of the Government to bring Colonial practice into line with that in this country; and whether they will draw the attention of the Governor of Uganda to these cases and request his co-operation in making this policy effective.]
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, it would not, of course, be proper for my right honourable friend to call in question the exercise by a court of law in Uganda of discretion vested in the court in awarding sentences, and it is to be assumed that the award of corporal punishment in this case is in accordance with the law in force in Uganda. As the noble Lord is aware, however, it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage the progressive reduction and ultimate abolition of corporal punishment in Colonial territories and Her Majesty's Government have the matter very much in mind.
LORD FARINGDONMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for his reply, 320 may I ask him whether he is aware of the great satisfaction that it will give in various quarters?