§ The Order of the Day for resuming the Debate on the Stafford Indemnity Bill was read.
§ The Lord Chancellor moved, that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the allegations contained in the Preamble of the Bill. It had been suggested by his noble and learned friend (Lord Wynford) that a Secret Committee should be appointed; but he understood that such a course was quite unprecedented. He, therefore, moved for a Select Committee.
Lord Kenyonthought a Secret Committee was necessary in the present case, to afford due protection to the witnesses.
The Lord Chancellorsaid, that in substance it would be found that there was no difference in the protection given by either kind of Committee. No member of a Committee could in either case divulge what happened on it, without committing a breach of privilege. It was true that it was a greater offence to divulge what happened in a Secret Committee; but he understood that a Select Committee would be found to afford every measure of protection to the witnesses. The members of the Select Committee had it in their power to exclude all persons not being members; and he had no doubt that they would exercise that power, if they considered it necessary, for the protection of the witnesses. A Secret Committee must, however, exclude all strangers whatever, even the officers of the House, which would be inconvenient.
§ Motion agreed to.