HC Deb 22 November 1906 vol 165 cc1016-7
VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH (Maidstone)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the evidence in the Report of the Chief Inspector of the Local Government Board on the Poplar Union, that during the course of Jacob's evidence, the sections in the Public; Bodies Corrupt Practices Act, 1889, referring to prosecution of persons engaged in the giving or taking of bribes were read, and it was demanded that Jacob's evidence should be communicated to the Attorney-General, with a view to the prosecution of the witness, that it was suggested that this was done to intimidate other contractors from giving evidence, and that subsequently to this, another contractor asked before giving evidence that he might be protected; and whether, with a view to secure the satisfactory elucidation of all the facts at such inquiries he is prepared to introduce a short Bill to provide that evidence taken at the Local Government Board inquiries shall be on oath, and that a witness who answers truly all questions which he is required to answer shall be entitled to a certificate of indemnity.

MR. JORN BURNS

I am aware of the portion of the Report to which the noble Lord refers. Inspectors of the Local Government Board are empowered now to take evidence on oath at their inquiries, and this course was adopted at the inquiry at Poplar. I will take note of the suggestion that power should be conferred on them to give certificates of indemnity, but I do not know that any substantial inconvenience has arisen from the fact that they do not now possess this power.

VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a provision of this kind with regard to inquiries held under election petitions?

ME. JOHN BURNS

Yes; but I do not think the two cases are parallel.

MR. MAGVEAGH (Down, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman send to the guardians at Poplar a copy of the evidence with regard to the giving and taking of bribes as disclosed at the trial of the Maidstone election petition against the noble Lord?