– in the House of Commons at on 25 March 1943.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton West
asked the Secretary of State for India whether any committee has been set up in India similar to the Departmental Committee on Corporal Punishment set up here; and whether there is any Province or State in India where sentences of whipping or caning are not imposed?
Lieut-Colonel Leo Amery
, Birmingham Sparkbrook
I am not aware of any such committee having been set up in India. With regard to the second part of his Question, the hon. Member will be aware that whipping is a legal penalty for certain offences throughout British India, but it would be impossible to answer his Question without very extensive inquiries.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton West
Has the right hon. Gentleman any information regarding the Native States? Also, in view of the unanimous condemnation of corporal punishment by this Committee in this country, why could he not draw the attention of the Provincial Governments to the decision of that Committee over here?
Lieut-Colonel Leo Amery
, Birmingham Sparkbrook
I will certainly draw the attention of the Government of India to that matter.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
