HC Deb 07 March 1889 vol 333 c1155
MR. THOMAS ELLIS (Merionethshire)

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General whether he is aware that Coroners and Official Receivers in bankruptcy in Welsh-speaking districts carry on their proceedings in Welsh, notwithstanding the pain of forfeiture of office enacted in the Statute of Wales; and, whether he will introduce a Bill to repeal or modify the Section of the Statute thus rendered obsolete?

SIR RICHARD WEBSTER

I am not aware of what is the practice of Coroners, or Official Receivers in Bankruptcy, but upon the information before me I doubt whether there is any necessity for an amendment of the law in this matter.

MR. T. ELLIS

I desire to know whether members of representative bodies, or Coroners and other officials in Welsh speaking districts, cannot carry on proceedings in the language of the district, not merely as a matter of courtesy, but as a matter of right.

SIR RICHARD WEBSTER

I think the hon. Gentleman had better put his Question on the paper.

MR. G. O. MORGAN (Denbighshire, E.)

Would not such persons so acting be liable to very severe penalties?

SIR RICHARD WEBSTER

I doubt whether any of these persons could become liable to a penalty.

MR. G. O. MORGAN

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the provisions of the 20th Section of the 27th Henry VIII, c. 26, that— No person or persons that used the Welsh speech or language shall have or enjoy any manor, office, or fees within the Kings dominions upon pain of forfeiting the same offices and fees, unless he or they use and exercise the English speech or language, are admittedly obsolete, he will take steps to have this antiquated enactment repealed?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I think if the right hon. Gentleman will refer to 50 and 51 Vic, c. 59, he will find that the Section of 27th Henry VIII., c. 26, to which he takes exception, is already repealed.