§ LORD TEMPLEMOREMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Munster I beg to move the Motion that stands in his name on the Paper. Towards the end of last year the Council of the City and County of Newcastle-upon-Tyne asked my right honourable friend the Home Secretary to hold an inquiry into the administration of the Watch Committee of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with particular reference to the disposal of a fire engine, and my right honourable friend appointed Mr. Roland Burrows, K.C., for that purpose. During the preparations for the holding of this inquiry other allega- 735 tions of a serious character were brought to notice which reflected on the administration of branches of the Civil Defence Services. My right honourable friend thereupon decided to widen the scope of the inquiry, and the Corporation agreed. It is proposed that the inquiry should be held by a tribunal to which the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, will be applied. That is the purpose and intention of the Resolution which stands in my noble friend's name. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That it is expedient that a Tribunal be established for inquiring into a definite matter of urgent public importance, that is to say, the administration by the Council of the City and County of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and its committees and officers of their functions in relation to the Fire, Police and Civil Defence Services, with particular reference to the disposal of fire engine B.B. 999, the acquisition and use as a fire float of the East Coast Scottish fishing vessel called "The Premier" and the use of personnel, food, stores and equipment intended for the aforesaid Services.—(Lord Templemore.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.