Punishment of Industrial School Children 1895

Punishment of Industrial School Children
The Industrial Schools Committee reported that the Secretary of State had returned the rules and regulations for the Drury-lane Day Industrial School which were forwarded for his approval. He considered that girls in the school should not receive corporal punishment; that, in the case of boys, some provision should be made for punishment with the birch as well as with the cane; and that a weekly half-holiday should be arranged for. The committee had replied that they accepted the suggested amendments.

The REV A DREW moved the adoption of the report, and in the discussion, which followed several members, including Mrs. Maitland and Miss Davenport Hill, strongly opposed the flogging of girls; but it was contended on the other hand, that the power to give corporal punishment was necessary in industrial schools.

MR RILEY moved as an amendment that the amendments on corporal punishment suggested by the Home Office be provisionally approved, subject to the result of a deputation of the committee to the Home Secretary to set forth the reasons for the opinion of the Board as to why the power to give corporal punishment to girls should be retained.

MR CECIL, in supporting this, quoted a nursery rhyme, in which he said the idea he wished to convey was expressed rather more strongly than he should express it himself: - "Solomon said, in accents mild, Spare the rod and spoil the child; whether a boy or whether a maid, whack and wallop 'em, Solomon said." (Laughter.)

On a division, the amendment was agreed to by 16 to 14, whereupon MR DREW said he should respectfully decline to be a member of the deputation. "The previous question" was moved and rejected, and the amendment as the substantive motion was agreed to.

The Board adjourned.