HC Deb 29 January 1976 vol 904 cc312-6W
Sir P. Rawlinson

asked the Prime Minister if he will list all the Royal Commissions appointed during the past 20 years, stating in respect of each such Royal Commission: (i) the title or subject matter, (ii) by which Prime Minister the recommendation for appointment was made, (iii) the date of the announcement of the appointment, (iv) the date of the publication of the report, (v) the total number of persons appearing before, or making written submission to, each such Royal Commission, (vii) a list of the Government Departments on behalf of which evidence was submitted to each such Royal Commission, (viii) the estimated man-hours devoted by Government Departments to assisting in or presenting evidence to such Royal Commissions, (ix) the cost of public funds of each such Royal Commission set out separately, and (x) the estimated total costs generally of each such Royal Commission.

The Prime Minister

The following is a list of Royal Commissions appointed over the last 20 years indicating, where appropriate, the date of announcement; the date of publication of the report; and estimated gross total expenditure incurred where available. I regret that the remaining information for which the right hon. Member asks is not readily available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost to public funds.

Title Prime Minister concerned Date of Announcement Date of Publication of Report Estimation at time of Publication of Gross Total Expenditure
£
Royal Commission on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration. H. Macmillan February 1957 18th February 1960 36,991
Royal Commission on Local Government in the Greater London Area. H. Macmillan November 1957 18th October 1960 44,645
Royal Commission on the Police H. Macmillan December 1959 24th November 1960 (interim report) 49,370
31st May 1962 (final report)
Royal Commission on the Press H. Macmillan February 1961 19th September 1962 40,190
National Incomes Commission H. Macmillan October 1962 22nd April 1963 1st Report Not available.
23rd July 1963 2nd Report
25th March 1964 3rd Report
3rd June 1964 Interim Report
16th February 1965 Final Report
Royal Commission on the Penal System in England and Wales. Sir Alec Douglas-Home April 1964 No report—Commission dissolved
Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers Associations. H. Wilson February 1965 13th June 1968 113,500
National Board for Prices and Incomes H. Wilson April 1965 Commission dissolved 6th March 1967, 170 reports published between 1965 and 1971 by the Commission and its successor.
Royal Commission on Medicial Education H. Wilson June 1965 4th April 1968 79,052
Royal Commission on the Working of the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921. H. Wilson July 1965 7th November 1966 15,053
Royal Commission on Local Government in England. H. Wilson February 1966 11th June 1969 178,851
Royal Commission on Local Government in Scotland. H. Wilson February 1966 September 1969 102,800
Royal Commission on Assizes and Quarter Sessions. H. Wilson August 1966 29th September 1969 62,230
Royal Commission on the Constitution H. Wilson February 1969 31st October 1973 483,993
The Commission on Industrial Relations H. Wilson January 1969 25 Reports published before Commission was wound up on 8th December 1971.
Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. H. Wilson December 1969 23rd February 1971 1st Report
7th March 1972 2nd Report
19th September 1972 3rd Report
5th December 1974 4th Report
15th January 1976 5th Report
Title Prime Minister concerned Date of Announcement Date of Publication of Report Estimation at time of Publication of Gross Total Expenditure
£
Royal Commission on Civil Liability and Compensation for Personal Injury. E. Heath December 1972 Not yet reported
Royal Commission on the Press H. Wilson May 1974 Not yet reported
Royal Commission on the Distribution of Income and Wealth. H. Wilson July 1974 Initial Report 30th July 1975 124,301
Second Report 30th July 1975 79,500
Royal Commission on Standards of Conduct in Public Life. H.Wilson July 1974 Not yet reported
Royal Commission on National Health Service. H.Wilson October 1975 Not yet reported
Royal Commission on Gambling H. Wilson October 1975 Not yet reported