§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)said, he hoped the House would agree to take the second reading of this Bill, which contained no controversial matter, but merely embodied the Resolution of the House and empowered the Commission to inquire into the working of the Metropolitan Board of Works.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Secretary Matthews.)
§ MR. FIRTH (Dundee)said, he hoped there would be no objection. He would like to ask whether the powers of the Commission went as far as possible with regard to obtaining evidence, else he doubted if the inquiry would have a successful issue. It was different to that of last year; for then there were ascertained facts not available here. Could the right hon. Gentleman say when the Commission was likely to begin its work? He saw that the utmost penalty for refusing to give evidence was three mouths imprisonment, but he doubted if that would be sufficient in certain cases that might be brought before the Commission. Would the Commission settle its own mode of procedure? Would any provisions be made for the collection of evidence and the necessary expenses incurred or for counsel for those who took a position adverse to the Board?
§ MR. MATTHEWSsaid, there was no clause in the Bill providing for the payment of witnesses. The Commission was framed on the precedents of the Belfast Commission, the Truck Commission, and the Commission on the Sheffield outrages. The Commission would settle its own form of procedure. He had had a correspondence with the Chairman, who said the Commission would be prepared to begin work at once.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for To-morrow, at Two of the clock.