MR. J. W. PHILIPS (Lanark, Mid)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, in the event of a vacancy occurring among the Chief Inspectors of Mines in Scotland, he will give a pledge that he will appoint a new Inspector only from among the ranks of men who are, or have been, practical working miners?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)No; I can give no such pledge. I shall on every occasion appoint the most competent person I can find.