§ Mr. J. Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sentences of birching have been inflicted in the burghs of the county of Ayr during the last ten years; whether there has been any demand from the local magistrates to inflict the penalty of birching; and whether it is with his approval that these new instructions have been issued?
§ Mr. ElliotIn reply to the first part of the question, I am informed that no whipping order has been made by any Court in Ayrshire during the last ten years. I have no information on the point raised in the second part of the question. As regards the last part, I assume that the right hon. Member refers to a recent communication from the Sheriff Clerk regarding local arrangements for carrying out any whipping orders which might be imposed. My approval was not required to the issue of this communication.