§ Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he contemplates acting on the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Procedure of Royal Commissions by issuing instructions or advice to future chairmen of such Royal Commissions to follow the recommendations of the Departmental Committee; and whether such action will hamper independent investigation and prevent most Minority Reports from being published?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Masterman)The recommendations of the Committee are under consideration by the Treasury and other Departments concerned as well as by myself. The primary object of a Royal Commission is collective as distinguished from independent investigation, and I gather that the recommendations of the Committee aim not so much at the suppression of Minority Reports as at their limitation to reasonable length.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODWill the House have an opportunity of stating what they think on the subject before the Home Office takes the matter into their hands and acts on the report of the Departmental Committee?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI shall not promise that. I do not gather that any immediate action will be taken by the Home Office in the matter.