§ Mr. SLOANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received from the Watch Committee of Liverpool a recommendation to hold an inquiry into the recent disturbance in that city; if so, does he propose to grant an inquiry, and on what date; will the inquiry be held on oath; and will the Press be admitted?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Gladstone)I have received the resolution of the Watch Committee, and have agreed to appoint a Commissioner to make the inquiry subject to the arrangement of certain details with the council. The inquiry cannot, however, be held under statutory powers, and it will, therefore, not be possible to take the evidence on oath. The inquiry will be a public one.
§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNORI sent the right hon. Gentleman a question yesterday, which, I think, he did not receive, in regard to the incidents of Sunday. May I ask whether he has received any further information, because I have received rather alarming reports of what took place?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI have received a full report. The riot was greatly exaggerated. The police gathered on the spot, and soon got the different parties to go to their quarters.
§ Mr. GLADSTONENo, Sir, I cannot. I will have to proceed to appoint a Commissioner first of all.
§ Mr. GLADSTONEA Commissioner will be appointed, and, of course, he must decide on the course of the proceedings.