§ MR. HADFIELDsaid, he wished to ask whether any engagement had been entered into by the Government, or on their behalf, or by the Commissioners for investigating the cases of bribery and corruption at Gloucester and Wakefield, or either of them, whereby the parties who have given or received bribes are to be indemnified, or are not to be proceeded against, for any illegal transactions in those Boroughs at the last or any other Elections?
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, the hon. Member was no doubt aware that the Act of 15 & 16 Vict. c. 57, laid down certain conditions with regard to witnesses making a true disclosure of the matters on which they should be examined, upon which the Commissioners were bound to give them a certificate of indemnity. Assuming that the witnesses made a true disclosure, the power of granting certificates of indemnity was invested in the Commissioners alone, and the Government had no concern in the matter. Having received full information as to the manner in which the discretion invested in the Commissioners by the Act had been exercised by the two sets of Commissioners, he would state to the House what he was in possession of. With regard to Gloucester, the Chief Commissioner, on opening the proceedings, made a short address, and stated that the Commissioners were empowered by the Act of Parliament to give certificates of indemnity to such witnesses as, in the opinion of the Commissioners, should make a full disclosure of all matters upon which they should be examined. This certificate was granted to all who applied for it, with three exceptions. About 500 witnesses were examined, and about 200 applied for certificates of indemnity. In one case the certificate had been pleaded before Mr. Justice Keating in certain proceedings taken before him, who thereupon stayed proceedings, and made the plaintiff pay the costs. The Wakefield Commissioners had followed a similar course. About 140 witnesses examined before that Commission received certificates, and in thirty-eight cases the certificate was refused. He held in his hand the Report of the Wakefield Commission, which would be laid upon the Table that night. When the Report was printed the hon. Member would see a schedule of the witnesses examined, and the names of those who had received the certificate.
§ SIR FITZROY KELLY—Will the right hon. Gentleman have any objection to lay before the House the form of the certificate granted by the Commissioners?
§ MR. HADFIELDsaid, he would beg to ask whether witnesses examined before Committees of that House could not receive certificates of indemnity?
SIR GEORGE LEWIS—The Act of Parliament limits the power of granting certificates of indemnity to the Commissioners, and does not extend the power to Committees of this House.