§ 88. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the withdrawal of the penalty of corporal punishment for African soldiers is to become operative; if the same principle is to be applied to all Colonial troops; and whether a similar withdrawal is to take place in respect of civilian prisoners in West Africa.
§ Mr. George HallAdministrative instructions were issued by my predecessors before the war that corporal punishment should not be awarded to African soldiers for military offences in peacetime. I am making it clear to African Governments that these instructions still apply, since the war, pending the enactment of the necessary amending legislation to make the award of corporal punishment for military offences no longer legal. In answer to the second part of the Question, corporal punishment cannot be awarded for military offences in any other Forces raised in territories with which I am concerned. In answer to the last part of the Question, corporal punishment is rarely awarded to civilian prisoners in West Africa. The position is however under constant review; and I am now considering what further steps can be taken to modify existing laws and regulations.