HC Deb 01 June 1891 vol 353 cc1377-8
MR. G. OSBORNE MORGAN (Denbighshire, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the fact that Mr. E. E. Stokes has been appointed Assistant Inspector of Mines in the Liverpool district; whether that district "comprises among other places the Counties Denbigh, Flint, and Anglesey, in the Principality of Wales, in which the Welsh language is generally spoken; whether Mr. Stokes has any knowledge of that language; whether, among the candidates for the post filled up by this appointment, there were several persons, having a thorough knowledge of the Welsh language, who were also in other respects perfectly qualified and competent to discharge the duties; and whether, under these circumstances, the appointment of a gentleman ignorant of that language to the office in question is in accordance with the provisions of Section 39, Sub-section 1, of "The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887"?

MR. MATTHEWS

Yes, Sir; it is the fact that Mr. Stokes has been appointed Assistant Inspector of Mines to the Liverpool district, having been superior to several candidates in a competitive examination. I am not aware that he is acquainted with the Welsh language. The Liverpool district includes three Welsh counties, of which one, Anglesey, according to the last Return, produces no mineral. The other two produce only about one-fifth, of the total amount of coal raised in the whole district. I do not consider that the, section quoted precludes the appointment of Mr. Stokes to a district which is only partially Welsh, and which; has hitherto been efficiently served by English-speaking Inspectors.

MR. G. OSBORNE MORGAN

Are we, then, to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that a gentleman, who does not understand Welsh, is to exercise this jurisdiction over the many thousands of persons in the districts mentioned who speak no other language?

MR. MATTHEWS

I am not aware of the number of persons speaking the Welsh language in those districts.

MR. G. OSBORNE MORGAN

I beg to give notice that I will take an early opportunity of calling the attention of the House to this subject.