asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to enable magistrates in courts of first instance to impose heavier penalties for proven cases of cruelty to children.

Courts of first instance have power to impose, for cruelty to a child, a fine of £25 or six months' imprisonment or both; or they may remit the case to a superior court which may impose a fine of £100 or two years' imprisonment or both. I do not think that these powers are inadequate.