§ MR. D. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in filling up the present vacancy in the South Wales Sub-inspectorship of mines, he will, in addition to giving, coeteris paribus, preference to candidates having a knowledge of the Welsh language, as provided by Section 39 of " The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887," also bear in mind the great desirability of appointing an Inspector with thorough knowledge of the peculiarities of the South Wales coal measures, and having some practical experience of the methods of mining employed in the district, such as that possessed in an eminent degree by the late Mr. Randell; and when the appointment will be made?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe hon. Member may rest assured that in filling up the vacancy referred to I shall not lose sight of the two important considerations of which lie is good enough to remind me and I hope to fill up the vacancy before. long.