asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the sentence of 10 years imprisonment and 18 lashes with a whip, passed on 25th March at Jerusalem, on an Arab boy of 13 who was charged with shooting at, and slightly injuring a Jew; and whether he would secure some mitigation of this sentence in view of the prisoner's age?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a 13 year old Arab boy has recently been sentenced by a Jerusalem military court to 10 years imprisonment and 18 strokes of the whip for slightly injuring a Jew; and whether he will take steps to revise this sentence?

I have received no information regarding this case, but I have asked the High Commissioner for a report. The hon. Members will be aware that the review of sentences imposed by the Military Courts in Palestine is in the discretion of the General Officer Commanding.

Would the right hon. Gentleman really approve of lashing a boy of 13 in this country; and can he not prevent the infliction of this punishment in Palestine, especially in view of the need for encouraging Arab confidence in this country?

I think it would be better if I expressed no opinion about facts of which I am at present completely ignorant, but the hon. Member can be assured that the fullest attention will be given to the report when it is received.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at least see that the lashing does not take place in the meantime?

As I have said, I know nothing about it, but I am making inquiries. I do not know whether the stage of punishment has been reached. I will, however, consider the action suggested by the hon. Member.

If the punishment has not been inflicted, surely the right hon. Gentleman can have it postponed?

As I have said, I will make inquiries as to whether the punishment has been inflicted or not, and certainly I will consider the action suggested by the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern).

Could not the right hon. Gentleman have done this before now?

Will my right hon. Friend ask that the punishment should be suspended pending investigation?

Cannot we have a definite statement?

I have already told the House that I am making inquiries, and I will consider the suggestion which has been made to me when I have a report as to the facts.

It is a question whether this boy is to be flogged or not, and we want to know whether the right hon. Gentleman will stop it, and stop it now.

Are there any circumstances in which a sentence of this kind is justified; and, if not, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that it will not be carried out?

I assure hon. Members that I, too, dislike a sentence of flogging on a boy of 13. All I can say is that I think it would be better if I ascertain the facts.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, by the time he has made his rather languid inquiries, the boy may have been flogged?

The hon. Gentleman has really no right to speak of "languid inquiries." I have already given directions that a report should be asked for.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that, by a Bill which is before the House and which is now being discussed in Committee, flogging has been abolished?