§ 91. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which territories flogging is still administered as a punishment in civilian or in military cases; and what steps he is taking towards its total abolition.
Mr. Creech JonesCorporal punishment may be awarded in the case of civilians for a limited number of offences in all Colonial territories, with the exceptions that in Malta it may not he awarded at all by the courts and that in Palestine it may not be awarded by the courts in the case of adults. In all territories corporal punishment may not be awarded in the case of women and juveniles under 18 may not be flogged.
There has, however, been a steady overall reduction in the last few years, both in the types of offence for which this punishment may be imposed, and in the 312W number of instances in which it has been awarded. I have again directed the attention of all Colonial Governments to the matter and urged them to make a further reduction in the use of corporal punishment with a view to its eventual abolition. Corporal punishment can no longer be awarded to soldiers in Colonial Forces by military courts.