HC Deb 20 July 1910 vol 19 cc1243-4
Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention had been called to those parts of the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Procedure of Royal Commissions which recommended the placing of difficulties in the way of Minority Reports and independent action by members of Royal Commissions; and, seeing that the Minority Reports of the Licensing Commission, the Royal Commission on Local Taxation, and the Royal Commission on the Poor Law would have been suppressed under these recommendations, whether he would assure the House that no steps would be taken by the Home Office to act on the Report of this Departmental Committee without first obtaining the approval of this House?

Mr. MASTERMAN

The recommendations contained in the Report of the Departmental Committee referred to are under the consideration of my right hon. Friend, but the Report was only issued a short time ago, and he cannot say yet what action it may be necessary for him to take.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

May we be assured that no action will be taken in the direction of abolishing the Minority Reports of Royal Commissions without the House being consulted?

Mr. M ASTERMAN

I have no idea that there is any intention of abolishing the Minority Reports of Royal Commissions.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

May we be assured that no action will be taken in the direction of preventing Minority Reports being printed in the Government Papers where less than a certain number of people sign the Reports?

Sir J. D. REES

Can steps be taken to prevent Minority Reports assuming more importance than Majority Reports?