HC Deb 13 July 1855 vol 139 cc854-5
MR. T. DUNCOMBE

said, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the arrangements were completed for instituting a Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of the police, and, if so, what the tribunal would be, when it would be ready, and where it would sit?

SIR GEORGE GREY

said, it had been determined to appoint a Commission which would consist of the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Recorder of the City of London; the Recorder of Manchester, Mr. R. B. Armstrong; and Mr. Henderson, the Recorder of Liverpool. Some delay had been occasioned in preparing the Commission by reason of its being of a formal nature. It was thought necessary that a Commission should be issued under the Great Seal to empower the Commissioners to take evidence on oath. The Commission was not quite completed, but would be so to-night, and the advertisements would appear in the morning papers, stating the time and place of their first meeting.

MR. T. DUNCOMBE

said, he was quite satisfied with the tribunal appointed, and he had no doubt those gentlemen would do their duty satisfactorily. He wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the parties complaining would have permission to appear by counsel, or would have to appear in their own persons, and, if so, would the police also have to appear in the same manner?

SIR GEORGE GREY

said, that all that would be left to the discretion of the Commissioners. Every facility would, of course, be given to the parties complaining for bringing forward their cases, and they would be heard in a manner most satisfactory for producing an impartial inquiry.

SIR FREDERIC THESIGER

said, he understood, from the reply of the right hon. Baronet, that a Commission to Inquire into the conduct of the police was about, to be issued, and that it was proposed to introduce a clause into that Commission empowering the Commissioners to administer oaths. He (Sir F. Thesiger) wished to know whether the right hon. Gentleman had consulted the law officers of the Crown as to the power of the Crown to issue a Commission of that description with power to administer oaths, and whether an Act of Parliament was not necessary for that purpose?

SIR GEORGE GREY

said, he had not exactly consulted the law officers, but he had consulted precedent. There were many precedents of Commissions with similar powers, one, not long ago, with reference to some alleged proceedings in the gaol at Birmingham. He had communicated with the learned Gentleman the Under Secretary for the Home Department upon the subject, and the precedents had been strictly followed.

SIR FREDERIC THESIGER

said, that when he filled the office of Attorney General a Commission was issued by the Admiralty, in which was a clause empowering the Commissioners to administer oaths. That clause he struck out, considering the Crown had no power to create any new tribunal with power to administer oaths.