§ 27. Captain W. BENNasked the Prime Minister whether the Royal Commission on Honours will be empowered to take evidence on oath and send for persons, papers and records?
§ 33. Lord ROBERT CECILasked the Prime Minister whether it is intended that the Royal Commission proposed to be appointed to inquire into the procedure of recommendation for honours should be entitled to inquire what investigation has in fact been made into the amounts, if any, subscribed by candidates for honours to any political fund?
§ 39. Captain Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether he will cause to be laid before the House the papers relating to the action of Messrs. Balfour, Williamson, and Company in South America which were the subject of a conversation during the War with the Government; whether there are in the possession of any Government Department any other papers relating to the action of this firm in South America during the War; if so, whether they will he laid before the House; whether there is in the Foreign Office or any other Department any copy of a letter purporting to be written by Lord Forres relating to trading with the enemy; whether the Government have any information as to the origin of this letter; and, if so, what that information is?
§ 45. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether the Resolutions passed by the House of Lords in October, 1917, with regard to recommendations for honours, and accepted by Lord Curzon on behalf of His Majesty's Government, are still in force and binding on the Prime Minister of the day in making recommendations for honours to His Majesty; whether any of the statements of the reasons for which honours were conferred which appeared in the 13 "Gazette" of 4th June last were incorrect; and whether a corrected statement will be gazetted for the information of the public?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Lloyd George)I hope to be able to make a statement with regard to the composition and terms of reference of the Royal Commission before the House rises. With regard to the other questions, they have been dealt with very fully in the course of the various Debates in both Houses of Parliament, and I have nothing further to add.
§ Captain W. BENNDo we understand that the right hon. Gentleman does not intend to empower the Commission to send for persons, papers and records and take evidence on oath?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have said I am going to make a statement to the House after the composition of the Commission has been settled.
§ Captain BENNMy question was not as to the composition of the Commission, but as to its, powers. Will the right hon. Gentleman offer to the Commission power to take evidence on oath and to send for persons and papers?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman is not satisfied with the statement when I have made it, he can put questions.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOARECan the right hon. Gentleman say when the informal conference with regard to the personnel of the Commission between Members interested in the question and himself will take place?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI suggested the conference last Thursday, but it was a little too early for the various interests concerned. It was impossible on Friday for other reasons. To-day, also, it is difficult, because groups of hon. Members are interested in the Embargo Debate. To-morrow would suit me if the hon. Members concerned in arranging it can get together the fragments of the Opposition.
§ Captain BENNWhy does the right hon. Gentleman decline to give the Commission full powers?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have not declined. I have said a statement will be made. If that is not satisfactory, then questions can be put.
§ Later—
§ Sir W. DAVISONMay I put Question No. 45?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question has been answered with an earlier one.
§ Sir W. DAVISONOn a point of Order. My question had nothing whatever to do with the Royal Commission, but was upon a point of fact.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have answered that.
§ Sir W. DAVISONI have not heard it.