asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue a table setting out the offences for which flogging or birching, respectively, may be ordered and the courts which may inflict the punishment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to pages 6, 7 and 8 of the report of the Departmental Committee on Corporal Punishment which summarise in a convenient form the offences for which courts may order the infliction of corporal punishment and distinguish between the powers of courts of summary jurisdiction and courts of assize and quarter sessions.

Would it not be a convenience to the House if this information were circulated in the Official Report?

I scarcely think it is worth while reproducing what is in many cases a very abbreviated report.