HC Deb 22 June 1905 vol 147 cc1340-1
MR. J. H. LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is intended to take any and, if so, what steps to carry out the recommendation of the Departmental Committee presided over by General Butler, to the effect that further inquiries on the question of sales and refunds to contractors should be made in South Africa.

THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

I think the first part of the hon. Gentleman's Question is covered by the statements I have already made to the House. He knows it is proposed to appoint a Royal Commission to make inquiries on this subject. If that Commission find, as I do not doubt they will find, that investigations have to be made in South Africa, they will, of course, take the necessary steps to have those investigations carried out.

MR. J. H. LEWIS

Am I to take it that the Royal Commission will have power to issue a Commission to take evidence in South Africa, and that that evidence can be taken on oath, and the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents compelled?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

My learned friend the Attorney-General informs me that he has received private notice of a Question by the hon. and learned Member for Dumfries dealing with some of the legal aspects of the case, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman will wait until the hon. and learned Gentleman has put his Question.

MR. BLAKE (Longford, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman cite the precedents on which he relies for the proposed issue on the advice of His Majesty's Ministry of a Royal Commission empowering its nominees to investigate the action and conduct of various Ministers (a) without, and (b) with, the concurrence of the House of Commons?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I only received notice as I came into the House, when it was not in my power to make any investigation into the question of precedent. But I do not think the hon. Gentleman will regard that as necessary. There is no other possible way of appointing a Royal Commission except upon the advice of the Ministers of the Crown.

MR. MACVEAGH

May I ask whether powers similar to those given to the Parnell Commission will be vested in the Army Contracts Commission, and whether the proposed Commission will be composed of Judges of the High Court, but not including Judges who have held seats in this House.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I may perhaps repeat in the case of this Question the Answer I have already given to another supplementary Question.

MR. BLAKE

Is it not in accordance with precedent for the House of Commons to pass Resolutions or take steps to move the Crown to issue a Royal Commission, and to concur in giving powers to the Royal Commission.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I should like to look into that question before giving an Answer.