Marlyn Glen, a backbench Labour MSP, attempted to add the ban to theFamily Law (Scotland) Bill last week. Had it succeeded, the move wouldhave given children the same legal protection against assault asadults.
Currently, the defence of reasonable chastisement is permitted inScotland, though hitting children on the head or with an implement isprohibited.
Glen said her amendment was rejected because these protections were onlyrecently introduced.
"People looked at this in 2002 and there was a feeling that it was toosoon to change the law again," she said. "We should be trying to promotea culture of positive discipline without the use of corporal punishmentat all."
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