§ LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYALMy Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Paper for the setting up of a Tribunal of Inquiry under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921. Those of your Lordships who are interested in Scotland will be aware that for some time in Glasgow there have been numerous allegations of bribery and so forth in the conduct of municipal business, and the Secretary of State for Scotland has therefore decided to set up a Tribunal under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, to enquire into these allegations. The Government's decision to take this step was announced in the House of Commons on the 9th of last month. By proceeding under this Act it will be possible to take evidence on oath and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, and it is hoped by these means, and by the measure of indemnity from prosecution promised in the Secretary of State's announcement in the House of Commons, to secure an inquiry of a searching and conclusive character. The 541 Corporation of Glasgow has undertaken to meet the costs of the inquiry. The members of the Tribunal have already been announced in another place. Before a Tribunal can be appointed it is a statutory requirement that both Houses of Parliament should pass a Resolution that it is expedient that a Tribunal be established for enquiring into a definite matter described in the Resolution as of urgent public importance. The Resolution was passed in another place last night without opposition. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That it is expedient that a Tribunal be established for enquiring into a definite matter of urgent public importance, that is to say, the letting and allocation, since January 1, 1928, of stances and of other premises in the Markets under the control of the Corporation of Glasgow, and the circumstances attending, and the negotiations prior to, the said letting and allocation, and allegations of bribery and corruption in connection therewith, or in connection with other matters relating to the civic and municipal administration of the Corporation of the City of Glasgow and the licensing administration affecting the said City since the said date.—(Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal.)