Which is a negative aspect of Royal Commissions?

Which is a negative aspect of Royal Commissions?

• A. They publish comprehensive annual reports
• B. Time and cost are concerns
• C. They have unlimited terms of reference
• D. They always gather every potential witness

Answer: (B)

Royal Commissions are designed to be thorough, independent inquiries into important public issues, with powers to compel evidence and testimonies. A major downside is the time and money they require. They can run for long periods, cost vast sums in staff, legal fees, and logistical support, and this can slow down policy responses or divert funds from other priorities. That heavy investment is what makes this aspect of Royal Commissions stand out as a drawback, despite the value of a deep, credible investigation. The other statements don’t describe the typical drawbacks. They don’t usually publish comprehensive annual reports; they deliver a final report (and sometimes interim updates), not a regular annual briefing. They don’t operate with unlimited terms of reference, as the scope is defined and bounded. And they don’t necessarily gather every potential witness—witness selection focuses on relevance to the defined terms of reference, with practical limits on who can be heard.

Royal Commissions are designed to be thorough, independent inquiries into important public issues, with powers to compel evidence and testimonies. A major downside is the time and money they require. They can run for long periods, cost vast sums in staff, legal fees, and logistical support, and this can slow down policy responses or divert funds from other priorities. That heavy investment is what makes this aspect of Royal Commissions stand out as a drawback, despite the value of a deep, credible investigation.

The other statements don’t describe the typical drawbacks. They don’t usually publish comprehensive annual reports; they deliver a final report (and sometimes interim updates), not a regular annual briefing. They don’t operate with unlimited terms of reference, as the scope is defined and bounded. And they don’t necessarily gather every potential witness—witness selection focuses on relevance to the defined terms of reference, with practical limits on who can be heard.