On 1 October 1919, a Select Committee on Inquiry was appointed to inquire into and report upon matters relating to the State Children and Charities Department. The Committee produced an interim report submitted to Parliament. The Committee stated the wide ranging nature of their inquiry limited their investigations.

On 23 December 1919, the members of the Select Committee were appointed as Royal Commissioners to inquire into and report upon the State Children and Charities Department and all institutions within the meaning of the State Children Act 1907-1919, and the working and management thereof, and any improvements which ought to be made in such working and management.

The Royal Commissioners were James McCallum Smith, Harry Griffiths, John Francis Mullany, Selby Walter Munsie and Samuel Matthew Rocke.