§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked on what date the Royal Commission on the Church in Wales commenced its sittings, finished hearing evidence, and signed the chairman's Report; and how much longer the issue of the chairman's Report is likely to be delayed by the prolonged deliberations of one Commissioner whose Memorandum is not yet ready?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Commission sat for the first time on 23rd July, 1906, and it finished hearing evidence on 15th June, 1908. The chairman's draft Report was submitted to the Commission in January, 1909, and the Secretary of State is informed that all the Commissioners present at the sittings in March last (one alone being absent) expressed their willingness to sign the Report, subject, in some cases, to the right to submit separate memoranda. As regards the latter part of the question, I can only repeat that my right hon. Friend is now in communication with the chairman on the subject.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORECan the hon. Gentleman say why so long a delay has taken place in issuing the chairman's Report?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is not a case of issuing the chairman's Report. The Commissioners have finally to settle the question of issuing a Report; it is not the chairman's Report at all.