More senior members of society are even apt to say 'A good hiding never did me any harm'.

But in these politically-correct times, such old-fashioned comments sit uneasily with our moves to eradicate child cruelty.

Did the good old days of caning children and parents walloping their offspring really do no harm?

Opinions about this week's parliamentary bid to ban smacking varied, but most people, including parents, thought the legislation would be unworkable.

Mum Kirsty Williams, 29, of Jarrow, admitted she has smacked her five-year-old son, but added: "I don't think people should use too much force, but there are times when children have to be told right from wrong, or for keeping them away from a fire or cooker."

Under the law, it is illegal for a parent to hit a child if it leaves a bruise, but 'reasonable chastisement' is permissible.

More than 100 Labour MPs demanded a free vote on the issue this week, but this was opposed by the Government, which is opposed to an all-out ban on smacking.

The smacking debate was sidelined and ran out of time, in favour of a discussion on fostering issues.

South Shields couple James and Dorothy Reay called moves to ban smacking "ridiculous."

Mr Reay, 69, from Whiteleas, said: "We brought up two lads and they were smacked, as I was as a child.

"Children have to get the rules and understand right from wrong."
Mrs Reay added: "Smacking a child is all right, but not beating them. I can't see how you can ban it."

Mum Dorothy Brabbs, 51, of Holly Street, Jarrow, said: "You have got to have a deterrent and something to tell a child right from wrong.

"I have smacked my children, people can be too politically correct."

In 2004, more than 40 Labour MPs rebelled against the Government and voted unsuccessfully for a smacking ban.

MP Kevin Barron led this week's bid to have smacking outlawed, saying: "It was a long shot because the bill was not about the punishment, but about children's protection."

Young mum Jill Trotter, 20, from Hebburn, said she would not smack one of her young children, but added: "I don't think a ban would work."

Mum-of-three Linda Bushell, 49, of Campbell Park Road, Hebburn, said: "There's a difference between a tap and smacking. But I can't see how it would be possible to ban it."