MOTION FOR LEAVE. FIRST READING. (Hansard, 24 August 1886)

§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. HOLMES) (Dublin Uni- 483 versity)
Mr. Speaker, in the early part of the evening it was suggested that it might be desirable, for the convenience of hon. Gentlemen opposite, that I should, in moving for leave to introduce the Bill of which I have given Notice, state its principal provisions. I am glad to say I can do so in a very words indeed. The House is aware that before it left Office the late Government issued a Commission, composed of Gentlemen whose names are known, to inquire as to the origin and the circumstances of the riots and disturbances that occurred at Belfast. Now, after the Commission had been issued, it was considered, in very many quarters, that its proceedings could hardly be of a satisfactory character unless it had the power conferred upon it of summoning witnesses and examining those witnesses on oath. That is a power which can only be conferred by the Legislature, and when the present Government came into Office the matter was taken by them into consideration. Having regard to the excitement which the riots and disturbances have caused in Belfast and its neighbourhood, and having regard to the serious issues that may be inquired into by the Commission, it is considered by the Government reasonable that these powers should be given by the Legislature. There is a precedent for the granting of these powers, and the Government have determined to follow it. The Bill which I ask leave to introduce is very short and simple; it empowers the Court to summon witnesses, to enforce the production of documents, and to examine the witnesses that are produced before it on oath. It, in fact, in one clause, which is the substantive portion of the Bill, confers on the Commission the powers which belong to the High Court of Justice, or to the Judges of that country, to enforce the attendance of witnesses and to examine them. Further, of course, it empowers the Commission to imprison for contempt, that being the sanction by virtue of which Judges can enforce the attendance of witnesses. As, however, the Commission will not possess the dignity of the High Court of Justice, we propose that the powers to imprison for contempt should be limited to the period of three months—that is in accordance with precedent. If false evidence is given, the person tendering it will, of course, be subject to 484 penalty. These are the provisions of the Bill. In introducing this Bill we have no idea of entering upon really contentious legislation. It is said it is the desire of all Parties interested that these powers should be conferred on the Commission. We heard from the right hon. Gentleman the late Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant (Mr. John Morley) last night, in a speech on another subject, that he strongly approved of the measure as he understood it; and we understand it is the desire of hon. Members sitting in every quarter of the House that these powers should be given. We therefore propose a Bill for that purpose, I hope there will be no objection to it, but that it will be received in the spirit in which it is introduced.

§ MR. SEXTON (Sligo, S., and Belfast, W.)
I can tell the right hon. and learned Gentleman that hon. Members from Ireland sitting in this part of the House have no thought of encountering this Bill in any factious spirit. We feel the necessity for prompt and searching inquiry into the lamentable occurrences in Belfast, and our honest desire is that the investigation shall be conducted under conditions as shall elicit the truth. Perhaps the right hon. and learned Gentleman has no objection to let us know whether the witnesses appearing before the Commission will be subject to examination and cross-examination by counsel representing the various parties interested?

§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. HOLMES)
Yes, Sir; certainly.

§ MR. CHANCE (Kilkenny, S.)
Before leave is given to introduce the Bill, I should like to point out that one provision, which would render the Bill a useful one, has been very singularly omitted, and that the Members of the Party to which I belong have no great confidence in the Commissioners who will be appointed to conduct the inquiry. One is a gentleman from Scotland, of whose character we know nothing whatever. We find that though the Commissioners will be entitled to issue subpœnas, there is no power to be 485 given to any householder in Belfast to compel the issue of a subpœna to any person he may deem a material witness. It will, therefore, be in the power of the Commissioners to obtain the attendance of witnesses of such character and political colour as will please them, and. we look forward with some degree of certainty to the course which will be adopted.