Royal Commission
Encyclopedia
In Commonwealth realm
s and other monarchies
a Royal Commission is a major ad-hoc formal public inquiry
into a defined issue. They have been held in various countries such as the United Kingdom
, Australia
, Canada
, New Zealand
, and Saudi Arabia
. A Royal Commission is similar in function to a Commission of Enquiry (or Inquiry) found in other countries such as Ireland
, South Africa
, and Hong Kong
.
A Royal Commissioner has considerable powers, generally greater even than those of a judge
but restricted to the "Terms of Reference" of the Commission. The Commission is created by the Head of State (the Sovereign, or his/her representative in the form of a Governor-General or Governor) on the advice of the Government and formally appointed by Letters Patent
. In practice—unlike lesser forms of inquiry—once a Commission has started the government cannot stop it. Consequently governments are usually very careful about framing the Terms of Reference and generally include in them a date by which the commission must finish.
Royal Commissions are called to look into matters of great importance and usually controversy. These can be matters such as government structure, the treatment of minorities, events of considerable public concern or economic questions.
Many Royal Commissions last many years and, often, a different government is left to respond to the findings. In Australia—and particularly New South Wales
—Royal Commissions have been investigations into police and government corruption
and organised crime using the very broad coercive powers of the Royal Commissioner to defeat the protective systems that powerful, but corrupt, public officials had used to shield themselves from conventional investigation.
Royal Commissions are usually chaired by one or more notable figures. Because of their quasi-judicial
powers the Commissioners are often retired senior judges.
Royal Commissions usually involve research into an issue, consultations with experts both within and outside of government and public consultations as well. The Warrant may grant immense investigatory powers, including summoning witnesses under oath
, offering of indemnities, seizing of documents and other evidence (sometimes including those normally protected, such as classified information
), holding hearings in camera
if necessary and—in a few cases—compelling all government officials to aid in the execution of the Commission.
The results of Royal Commissions are published in, often, massive reports of findings containing policy recommendations. (Due to the verbose nature of the titles of these formal documents – for example, the Royal commission into whether there has been corrupt or criminal conduct by any Western Australian Police Officer – they are commonly known by the name of the principal Commissioner
.) While these reports are often quite influential, with the government enacting some or all recommendations into law, the work of some Commissions have been almost completely ignored by the government. In other cases, where the Commissioner has departed from the Warranted terms, the commission has been dissolved by a superior court.
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
s and other monarchies
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
a Royal Commission is a major ad-hoc formal public inquiry
Public inquiry
A Tribunal of Inquiry is an official review of events or actions ordered by a government body in Common Law countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland or Canada. Such a public inquiry differs from a Royal Commission in that a public inquiry accepts evidence and conducts its hearings in a more...
into a defined issue. They have been held in various countries such as the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
. A Royal Commission is similar in function to a Commission of Enquiry (or Inquiry) found in other countries such as Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
A Royal Commissioner has considerable powers, generally greater even than those of a judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
but restricted to the "Terms of Reference" of the Commission. The Commission is created by the Head of State (the Sovereign, or his/her representative in the form of a Governor-General or Governor) on the advice of the Government and formally appointed by Letters Patent
Letters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
. In practice—unlike lesser forms of inquiry—once a Commission has started the government cannot stop it. Consequently governments are usually very careful about framing the Terms of Reference and generally include in them a date by which the commission must finish.
Royal Commissions are called to look into matters of great importance and usually controversy. These can be matters such as government structure, the treatment of minorities, events of considerable public concern or economic questions.
Many Royal Commissions last many years and, often, a different government is left to respond to the findings. In Australia—and particularly New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
—Royal Commissions have been investigations into police and government corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
and organised crime using the very broad coercive powers of the Royal Commissioner to defeat the protective systems that powerful, but corrupt, public officials had used to shield themselves from conventional investigation.
Royal Commissions are usually chaired by one or more notable figures. Because of their quasi-judicial
Quasi-judicial body
A quasi-judicial body is an individual or organization which has powers resembling those of a court of law or judge and is able to remedy a situation or impose legal penalties on a person or organization.-Powers:...
powers the Commissioners are often retired senior judges.
Royal Commissions usually involve research into an issue, consultations with experts both within and outside of government and public consultations as well. The Warrant may grant immense investigatory powers, including summoning witnesses under oath
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
, offering of indemnities, seizing of documents and other evidence (sometimes including those normally protected, such as classified information
Classified information
Classified information is sensitive information to which access is restricted by law or regulation to particular groups of persons. A formal security clearance is required to handle classified documents or access classified data. The clearance process requires a satisfactory background investigation...
), holding hearings in camera
In camera
In camera is a legal term meaning "in private". It is also sometimes termed in chambers or in curia.In camera describes court cases that the public and press are not admitted to...
if necessary and—in a few cases—compelling all government officials to aid in the execution of the Commission.
The results of Royal Commissions are published in, often, massive reports of findings containing policy recommendations. (Due to the verbose nature of the titles of these formal documents – for example, the Royal commission into whether there has been corrupt or criminal conduct by any Western Australian Police Officer – they are commonly known by the name of the principal Commissioner
Synecdoche
Synecdoche , meaning "simultaneous understanding") is a figure of speech in which a term is used in one of the following ways:* Part of something is used to refer to the whole thing , or...
.) While these reports are often quite influential, with the government enacting some or all recommendations into law, the work of some Commissions have been almost completely ignored by the government. In other cases, where the Commissioner has departed from the Warranted terms, the commission has been dissolved by a superior court.
Australia
- The mainland states held a number of Royal Commissions into the Railway Gauge issue.
Commonwealth of Australia
- Royal Commission in the matter of an inquiry into a statement that there was a document missing from the official files in relation to "The Brisbane Line" (1943)
- Royal Commission on loss of HMAS Voyager (1964), investigated the collision between HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Voyager
- Royal Commission on the statement of Lieutenant Commander Cabban and matters incidental thereto (1967–1968), investigated claims that the captain of HMAS Voyager frequently drank to excess and was unfit for command
- Royal Commission on the activities of the Federated Ship Painters and Dockers Union ("Costigan Royal Commission") (1980–1984), investigated organised crime influences and drug trafficking in a large trade union
- Royal Commission of Inquiry into Drug TraffickingRoyal Commission of Inquiry into Drug TraffickingThe Royal Commission of Inquiry into Drug Trafficking was also known as the "Stewart Royal Commission". It was headed by Justice Donald Stewart.-See also:* Royal Commission into Drug Trafficking, ,...
("Stewart Royal Commission"), (1981–1983) - Royal Commission into British nuclear tests in AustraliaMcClelland Royal CommissionThe McClelland Royal Commission or Royal Commission into British nuclear tests in Australia was an inquiry by the Australian government in 1984-1985 to investigate the conduct of the British in its use, with the then Australian government's permission, of Australian territory and soldiers for...
(1984–1985) - Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in CustodyRoyal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in CustodyThe Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody studied and reported on the high level of deaths of Aboriginal people whilst in custody after being arrested or convicted of committing crimes. This included suicide, natural causes, medical conditions and injuries caused by police...
(1987–1991), investigated the disproportionate number of deaths of Australian Aboriginals while in custody - Royal Commission into HIH Insurance (2001–2003), investigated the collapse of HIH Insurance, then Australia's second largest insurance company
- Royal Commission into the Building and Construction IndustryRoyal Commission into the Building and Construction IndustryThe Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry was a Royal Commission established by the Australian government to inquire into and report upon alleged misconduct in the building and construction industry in Australia...
("Cole Royal Commission"), (2001–2003), investigated the conduct of industrial relations within the building industry - Inquiry into certain Australian companies in relation to the UN Oil-For-Food ProgrammeCole InquiryThe Cole Inquiry, formally the Inquiry into certain Australian companies in relation to the UN Oil-For-Food Programme was a Royal Commission set up by the Government of Australia in November 2005...
("Cole Inquiry"), (2005–2006), investigation into the alleged participation of the AWBAWB LimitedAWB Limited is a major grain marketing organisation based in Australia. It was a government body known as the Australian Wheat Board until 1 July 1999, when the AWB was transformed into a private company, owned by wheat growers...
into the Oil for Food program
New South Wales
- Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police ServiceRoyal Commission into the New South Wales Police ServiceThe Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service was held in the State of New South Wales, Australia between 1995 and 1997. The Royal Commissioner was Justice James Roland Wood...
("Wood Royal Commission") (1994–1997) investigated Police corruption in New South Wales. - Royal Commission into Drug TraffickingRoyal Commission into Drug TraffickingThe Royal Commission into Drug Trafficking or Woodward Royal Commission was a royal commission initiated by the New South Wales Government to investigate drug trafficking in New South Wales, Australia, especially links between the Mafia and New South Wales Police and the disappearance of...
("Woodward Royal Commission"), (1977–1980) investigated drug trafficking in New South Wales, especially links between the Mafia and New South Wales Police and the disappearance of Donald Mackay - Royal Commission into New South Wales Prisons ("Nagle Royal Commission"), (1976–1978)
- Royal Commission of Inquiry in respect of certain matters relating to allegations of organised crime in clubs ("Moffitt Royal Commission") (1973–74) investigated organised crime in New South Wales.
- Chelmsford Royal CommissionChelmsford royal commissionThe Chelmsford Royal Commission , chaired by Justice John Patrick Slattery, was established by the New South Wales state government to investigate "Mental Health Services" in NSW. It came about only after prominent Sydney radio and TV shows pressured the newly-elected Health Minister to make good...
(1989–1990) investigated patient deaths due to induced comas at the Chelmsford psychiatric hospital in Sydney during the 1960s and 1970s
Queensland
- Commission of Inquiry into Possible Illegal Activities and Associated Police MisconductFitzgerald InquiryThe Fitzgerald Inquiry into Queensland Police corruption was a judicial inquiry presided over by Tony Fitzgerald QC. The inquiry resulted in the deposition of a premier, two by-elections, the jailing of three former ministers and a police commissioner who was jailed and lost his...
("Fitzgerald Inquiry"), (1987–1989) into Queensland Police corruption
South Australia
- Commission appointed by the Governor-in-Chief to inquire into the loss of the "AdmellaSS AdmellaThe SS Admella was an Australian passenger steamship which was shipwrecked on a submerged reef off the coast of Carpenter Rocks, south west of Mount Gambier South Australia, in the early hours of Saturday 6 August 1859...
" (1859) - Royal Commission in regard to Rupert Max StuartMax StuartRupert Maxwell Stuart is an Indigenous Australian who was convicted of murder in 1959. His conviction was subject to several appeals to higher courts, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and a Royal Commission, all of which upheld the verdict. Newspapers campaigned successfully against...
(1959) - Splatt Royal Commission (1984)
- Hindmarsh Island Royal CommissionHindmarsh Island Royal CommissionThe Hindmarsh Island Royal Commission was a legal investigation into the nature of female aboriginal religious myths that existed around Goolwa and Hindmarsh Island in South Australia. It was a product of the Hindmarsh Island bridge controversy....
(1995) investigating the legal and political controversy that involved the clash of Indigenous Australian religious beliefs and property rights regarding the construction of a bridge to Hindmarsh IslandHindmarsh Island bridge controversyThe Hindmarsh Island bridge controversy was a 1990s Australian legal and political controversy that involved the clash of Indigenous Australian religious beliefs and property rights... - Kapunda Road Royal CommissionKapunda Road Royal CommissionThe Kapunda Road Royal Commission is a royal commission created by the Government of South Australia to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the hit and run death of Ian Humphrey and the circumstances around the trial and conviction of Eugene McGee. The Royal Commissioner is Greg James QC...
(2005) investigating the circumstances surrounding the hit and run death of Ian Humphrey and the circumstances around the trial and conviction of Eugene McGee
Victoria
- Royal Commission into the King Street Bridge failure, (1962–1963) (see King Street Bridge (Melbourne)King Street Bridge (Melbourne)The King Street Bridge takes King Street over the Yarra River in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The bridge continues south as an elevated viaduct, with the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex built around it in later years.-History:...
) - Royal Commission into the West Gate Bridge collapse, (1970–1971) (see West Gate BridgeWest Gate BridgeThe West Gate Bridge is a steel box girder cable-stayed bridge in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It spans the Yarra River, just north of its mouth into Port Phillip, and is a vital link between the inner city and Melbourne's western suburbs with the industrial suburbs in the west and with the city...
) - Royal Commission into the Longford Gas Plant Accident, (1998–1999) (see 1998 Esso Longford gas explosion1998 Esso Longford gas explosionThe 1998 Esso Longford gas explosion was a catastrophic industrial accident which occurred at the Esso natural gas plant at Longford in the Australian state of Victoria's Gippsland region. On 25 September 1998, an explosion took place at the plant, killing two workers and injuring eight...
) - 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal CommissionThe 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission is an Australian Royal Commission which concluded on 31 July 2010, it investigated the nature of circumstances surrounding the Black Saturday bushfires.-Precluding events:...
("Black Saturday Royal Commission"), (2009–2010) investigating the events and conditions surrounding the 2009 Victorian bushfires
Western Australia
- Royal Commission into alleged killing and burning of bodies of Aborigines in East Kimberley and into police methods when effecting arrests ("1927 Wood Royal Commission"), (1927) investigating the Forrest River massacreForrest River massacreThe Forrest River massacre, or Oombulgurri massacre, was a massacre of Indigenous Australian people by a law enforcement party in the wake of the killing of a pastoralist, which took place in the Kimberley region of Western Australia in 1926. The massacre was investigated by a Royal Commission in...
of Indigenous Australians - Royal Commission into Commercial Activities of Government and Other MattersWA IncWA Inc was a political scandal in Western Australia. In the 1980s, the state government, which was led for much of the period by premier Brian Burke, engaged in business dealings with several prominent businessmen, including Alan Bond, Laurie Connell and Warren Anderson...
("WA Inc Royal Commission") (1990–1992) investigated the collapse of Bond Corporation, Rothwells, Bell Group, and other large businesses in Western Australia as well as government commercial enterprises - Royal Commission into the use of Executive Power ("Marks Royal Commission") (1995) to determine the circumstances of the tabling of a petition in a family law case and the alleged misleading of WA Parliament by Carmen LawrenceCarmen LawrenceCarmen Mary Lawrence is a retired Australian politician; a former Premier of Western Australia and the first woman to become Premier of a State of the Commonwealth of Australia....
- Royal commission into whether there has been corrupt or criminal conduct by any Western Australian Police Officer ("WA Police Royal Commission"), (2002–2004) investigated high level corruption in the Western Australian police force
Bahrain
- Royal Independent Investigation Commission (June 2011), to examine the episodes of civil disobedience and alleged human rights offences committed in the aftermath of the February 2011 protests.
Hong Kong
- Commission of Inquiry on Allegations relating to the Hong Kong Institute of Education (2007)
- Commission of Inquiry on the New Airport (1998–99)
- Commission of Inquiry into the Garley Building Fire (1996–97)
Malaysia
- Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Teoh Beng Hock case (2010 - )
- Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam Video ClipRoyal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam Video ClipThe Royal Commission of Inquiry Into the V.K. Lingam Video Clip was formed in late 2007 to investigate into an allegation of illegal intervention into the judicial appointment process of Malaysian judges purportedly occurred in 2002...
(2007- ) - Royal Commission for Police Reform (2004)
- Royal Commission to investigate alleged injuries suffered by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while in police custody (1999)
- Royal Commission of Inquiry into the fire at the Bright Sparklers factory in Sungai Buloh New Village1991 Bright Sparklers Fireworks infernoThe Bright Sparklers Fireworks fire happened in Malaysia on 7 May 1991. The Bright Sparklers Fireworks Factory in Sungai Buloh, Selangor caught fire and caused a huge explosion. Twenty six people were killed and over a hundred people were injured in the disaster.-References:...
(1991) - Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate a fire at Sekolah Agama Rakyat Taufikah al-Halimah in Padang Lumat, Yan, Kedah (1989)
- Royal Commission of Inquiry on the collapse of the upper deck of the Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in ButterworthSultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge collapseThe Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge collapse occurred on July 31, 1988, at the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia. The collapse caused the deaths of 32 people and injured 1,634 people. It was blamed on overcrowding and the jetty being made out of steel bars...
(1988) - Royal Commission on the Teaching Services (1971)
- Royal Commission of Inquiry to Investigate the Workings of Local Authorities in West Malaysia (1968)
- Royal Commission on Salaries and Conditions of Service of the Public Service (1965)
New Zealand
- Royal Commission on Accident Compensation (1966-67) which produced the Woodhouse ReportOwen WoodhouseArthur "Owen" Woodhouse, ONZ, KBE, DSC is a New Zealand jurist and chair of government commissions.He was born in Napier and graduated from the University of Auckland with an LL.B. in 1940. During the World War II he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve...
and led to the formation of the Accident Compensation CorporationAccident Compensation CorporationThe Accident Compensation Corporation is a New Zealand Crown entity responsible for administering the Accident Compensation Act 2001. The Act provides support to citizens, residents, and temporary visitors who have suffered personal injuries....
in 1974 - Royal Commission on Nuclear Power Generation in New ZealandRoyal Commission on Nuclear Power Generation in New ZealandThe Royal Commission on Nuclear Power Generation in New Zealand was set up in 1976 and reported back to the Government in 1978. The report concluded that there was no immediate need but may be economically possible in the 21st century....
(1976–1978) - The 1980 Report of the Royal Commission to Inquire into the Circumstances of the Convictions of Arthur Allan Thomas for the Murders (in 1970) of Harvey and Jeanette CreweHarvey and Jeanette CreweDavid Harvey Crewe , known as Harvey, and Jeannette Lenore Crewe were a New Zealand farming couple who died in a double murder, or possibly a murder–suicide, around 17 June 1970...
followed the freeing of Arthur Allan ThomasArthur Allan ThomasArthur Allan Thomas was convicted in 1971 of the Harvey and Jeannette Crewe murders in June 1970 in Pukekawa , south of Auckland, New Zealand. Thomas, who farmed a property in the same district as the Crewes, was twice convicted of their murders but later given a Royal Pardon... - Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Crash on Mount Erebus, Antarctica of a DC10 Aircraft operated by Air New Zealand LimitedAir New Zealand Flight 901Air New Zealand Flight 901 was a scheduled Air New Zealand Antarctic sightseeing flight that operated between 1977 and 1979, from Auckland Airport to Antarctica and return via Christchurch...
("The Mahon Inquiry") (1980–1981) —this commission was appealed to the House of LordsHouse of LordsThe House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
and set new legal standards for the conduct of commissions - Royal Commission on the Electoral SystemRoyal Commission on the Electoral SystemThe Royal Commission on the Electoral System was formed in New Zealand in 1985, and reported in 1986. The decision to form the Royal Commission was taken by the Fourth Labour government, after the Labour party had received more votes, yet won fewer seats than the National Party in both the 1978 and...
(1984–1986) investigated the electoral system - Royal Commission on Genetic ModificationRoyal Commission on Genetic ModificationThe Royal Commission on Genetic Modification was established by the New Zealand Government to look into and report on the issues surrounding genetic modification in New Zealand...
(2000–2001) to look into and report on the issues surrounding genetic modification in New Zealand - Royal Commission on Auckland GovernanceRoyal Commission on Auckland GovernanceThe Royal Commission on Auckland Governance was established by the New Zealand Government to investigate the local government arrangements of Auckland....
(2007–2009) - Royal Commission on the Pike River Mine tragedyPike River Mine disasterThe Pike River Mine disaster was a coal mining accident that began on 19 November 2010 in the Pike River Mine, northeast of Greymouth, in the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island. A first explosion occurred in the mine at approximately 3:44 pm . At the time of the explosion 31...
(2011–current) - Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failures Caused by the Canterbury Earthquakes2010 Canterbury earthquakeThe 2010 Canterbury earthquake was a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, which struck the South Island of New Zealand at 4:35 am on local time ....
(2011–current)
Saudi Arabia
- Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (1975) in planning, development, construction, operation and maintenance of the various infrastructure and services of Jubail and Yanbu industrial cities.
United Kingdom
- Royal Commission on Railway GaugesRoyal Commission on Railway GaugesThe Royal Commission on Railway Gauges was held in the United Kingdom in 1845 to choose between the Broad Gauge of the Great Western Railway and its allies, and the so-called narrow gauge used by most of the rest of the country. The situation in Ireland where there were three gauges was also...
(1845) - Royal Commission on the Poorer Classes in Ireland 1833Royal Commission on the Poorer Classes in Ireland 1833The Royal Commission for inquiring into the condition of the poorer classes in Ireland was an initiative to investigate the causes of widespread destitution in Ireland at the beginning of the 19th century...
- Royal Commission of Inquiry into Children's Employment (1840)
- Royal Commission on the British MuseumRoyal Commission on the British MuseumThe Royal Commission on the British Museum was set up to review the activities of the British Museum particularly in relation to its Library....
(1847–49) - Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 is an institution founded in 1850 to administer the international exhibition of 1851, officially called the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations, held in The Crystal Palace in London, England...
(1850) planned the Great Exhibition and still exists as a charitable body endowed by the proceeds - Royal Commission on the City of LondonRoyal Commission on the City of LondonThe Royal Commission on the Corporation of the City of London was a Royal Commission, established in 1853, which considered the local government arrangements of the City of London and the surrounding metropolitan area....
(1853–54) led to the establishment of the Metropolitan Board of WorksMetropolitan Board of WorksThe Metropolitan Board of Works was the principal instrument of London-wide government from 1855 until the establishment of the London County Council in 1889. Its principal responsibility was to provide infrastructure to cope with London's rapid growth, which it successfully accomplished. The MBW...
, the first London-wide local government body. - Royal Commission on the Health of the Army (1856–57) based on Florence NightingaleFlorence NightingaleFlorence Nightingale OM, RRC was a celebrated English nurse, writer and statistician. She came to prominence for her pioneering work in nursing during the Crimean War, where she tended to wounded soldiers. She was dubbed "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night...
's reports on medical care during the Crimean WarCrimean WarThe Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining... - Royal Commission on the Defence of the United KingdomRoyal Commission on the Defence of the United KingdomIn 1859 Lord Palmerston instigated the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom because of serious concerns that France might attempt to invade the UK...
(1859) - Royal Commission on Transportation and Penal servitude (1863)
- Royal Commission on Capital Punishment 1864-1866Royal Commission on Capital Punishment 1864-1866The Royal Commission on Capital Punishment was chaired by the Duke of Richmond. It worked from 1864 to 1866 and was in disagreement on abolition.-Appointment:The Government agreed to a Royal Commission on 3 May 1864...
- Clarendon CommissionClarendon CommissionFollowing complaints about the finances, buildings and management of Eton College the Clarendon Commission, a Royal Commission, was set up in 1861 to investigate the state of nine leading schools in England at the time. The Clarendon Report was published in 1864 with general recommendations on the...
(1861–64) looked into nine old public schoolsIndependent school (UK)An independent school is a school that is not financed through the taxation system by local or national government and is instead funded by private sources, predominantly in the form of tuition charges, gifts and long-term charitable endowments, and so is not subject to the conditions imposed by... - Royal Commission on Historical ManuscriptsRoyal Commission on Historical ManuscriptsThe Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts , a UK body, was established in 1869 "to make enquiry as to the places where manuscripts and private papers of historical interest were located and to report on their contents"....
(1869) - Royal Commission on the Working of the Penal Servitude Actc &c (1878)
- Napier CommissionNapier CommissionThe Napier Commission, officially the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Condition of Crofters and Cottars in the Highlands and Islands was a royal commission and public inquiry into the condition of crofters and cottars in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.The commission was appointed in...
(1883–84), formally the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Condition of Crofters and Cottars in the Highlands and Islands.... - Royal Commission on Secondary Education (Bryce Commission) (1895)
- Royal Commission on Sewage DisposalRoyal Commission on Sewage DisposalThe Royal Commission on Sewage Disposal was established by the British government in 1898 to report on: What method or methods of treating and disposing of sewage may properly be adopted,consistently with due regard for the requirements of the existing law, for the protection of the public...
(1898 - 1912) - Royal Commission on the control of the feeble-minded (1904)
- Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of ScotlandRoyal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of ScotlandThe Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland is an executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government 'sponsored' [financed and with oversight] through Historic Scotland, an executive agency of the Scottish Government...
(1908) - Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of WalesRoyal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of WalesThe Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales is a Welsh Government sponsored body based in Aberystwyth, Wales. It was founded in August 1908...
- Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and Relief of Distress 1909Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and Relief of Distress 1905-09The Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and Relief of Distress 1905-09 was a body set up by the British Parliament in order to investigate how the Poor Law system should be changed...
- Royal Commission on the University of Durham (1935) — Lord Moyne
- Redcliffe-Maud Commission (1966–69) on local governmentLocal governmentLocal government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
- Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers' Associations (1968)
- Royal Commission on the ConstitutionRoyal Commission on the Constitution (United Kingdom)The Royal Commission on the Constitution, also referred to as the Kilbrandon Commission or Kilbrandon Report, was a long-running royal commission set up by Harold Wilson's Labour government to examine the structures of the constitution of the United Kingdom and the British Islands and the...
(1969–73), also known as the "Kilbrandon Commission" or the "Crowther Commission" - Royal Commission on Environmental PollutionRoyal Commission on Environmental PollutionThe Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in the United Kingdom was created under Royal Warrant in 1970 to advise the Queen, Government, Parliament and the public on environmental issues...
(1970-2011) - Royal Commission on the Press, United KingdomRoyal Commission on the Press, United KingdomIn 1947 the National Union of Journalists argued for a Royal Commission to investigate the risk to freedom of expression caused by increasing concentration of ownership of the press and the potential influence of advertisers on editorial content...
(1947–49), (1961–62), (1974–77) - Benson CommissionBenson CommissionThe Royal Commission on Legal Services, commonly known as the Benson Commission was a Royal Commission set up the by Labour government of Harold Wilson to "examine the structure, organisation, training and regulation of the legal profession and to recommend those changes that would be desirable to...
, or the Royal Commission on Legal Services (1976) - Pearson commissionPearson CommissionThe Royal Commission on Civil Liability and Compensation for Personal Injury, better known as the Pearson commission was a United Kingdom royal commission, established in 1973 under the chairmanship of Lord Pearson...
(1973–78), Royal Commission on Civil Liability and Compensation for Personal Injury - Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure (1981)
- Royal Commission on Criminal JusticeRoyal Commission on Criminal JusticeThe Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, also known as the Runciman Commission, was established on 14 March 1991 by the Home Secretary. The Commission was the continuation of Sir John May's inquiry into the false convictions of the Maguire Seven and extension to other miscarriages of justice...
(1991) - Royal Commission on Long Term Care for the Elderly (1998)