§ MR. J. W. BARCLAYasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the proceedings of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into Agricultural Distress will be open to the public, or whether investigations of the Commission will be prosecuted with closed doors?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThat will rest with the Commission; but it has not been the practice with Royal Commissions to hold their inquiries openly, except on very rare occasions. I may mention with regard to the names of the Commissioners, that a gentleman has been added—Mr. John Bryce, a large tenant-farmer of Richview, near Charleville, county Cork.
§ MR. MORGAN LLOYDI may point out that Wales is not represented on this Commission, and I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will take care that Wales shall be represented upon it?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am afraid there are many parts of the country besides Wales—Lancashire, for instance—which may be said not to be represented. But, undoubtedly, arrangements will be made by the Commission to take care that so important a portion of the country as Wales is carefully inquired into; and I 822 have no doubt that in the arrangement of Sub-Commissioners, there will be some special arrangement with regard to that part of the country.