asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a recent case of a woman who was convicted of ill-treating her daughter, aged 11 years, by caning; and whether, in view of the frequency of these cases, he will take steps to prevent such cruelty to children by prohibiting the corporal punishment of children by parents or guardians.

My attention has been called to this prosecution, which was brought under the existing law. I do not regard my hon. Friend's suggestion for amending the law as desirable.