HC Deb 07 April 1954 vol 526 cc34-5W
Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent British Service men in Far East land forces, when tried by civil courts in Hong Kong and Singapore, are subject to sentences of corporal punishment; how many such sentences there have been during the past eight years; the details of the sentences imposed; and how many have been carried out.

Mr. Lyttelton

British Service men in Far East land forces, when tried by civil courts in Hong Kong and Singapore, are subject to the local laws and are liable to be sentenced to corporal punishment for certain serious crimes for which that punishment may be awarded.

The following are details of sentences during the past eight years:

Name Crime When Sentenced Sentence Whether Awarded
HONG KONG
Philip Mendoza Larceny from the person. December, 1949. 6 days' hard labour and 4 strokes of the cane. Corporal punishment rescinded on review of sentence.
Jack Lawton alias Wolf Lorenzo Robbery with violence. October, 1953. Each awarded 4 years' hard labour and 24 strokes of the cane. Corporal punishment reduced on appeal to 12 strokes in each case.
Norman Hardman Sentence carried out on 6th November, 1953.
SINGAPORE
R. Howland Causing hurt in attempting to commit robbery. January, 1949. 4yrs' rigorous imprisonment and12strokes with a rotan. Yes
J. J. Quinn
3yrs' rigorous imprisonment and12strokes with a rotan.
D. Hatcher Causing hurt in committing robbery. December, 1952. 4 yrs' rigorous imprisonment and 10 strokes with a rotan. Yes
J. H. Irvine
2 yrs' rigorous imprisonment and l0 strokes with a rotan.