HC Deb 31 July 1894 vol 27 cc1404-5
MR. J. W. LOWTHER (Cumberland, Penrith)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Mr. Leek, Postmaster at Cleator Moor, who has recently been appointed Assistant Inspector of Metalliferous Mines, has passed any examination entitling him to receive a first-class certificate as manager of a mine; and whether he is within the limit of age prescribed for candidates for appointments as Inspectors of Mines?

MR. ASQUITH

For the appointment of Inspectors of Metalliferous Mines per se no limit of age or qualification as to previous employment underground has as yet been prescribed, the few appointments of the kind having been conferred upon gentlemen who, on account of their training and experience, have been considered qualified to hold them.

MR. J. W. LOWTHER

Will this gentleman be called upon to satisfy the Civil Service examiners or to pass any examination before he undertakes these duties, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Mr. Leck is the same gentleman who acted as electioneering agent for the hon. Member for West Cumberland at the last election, and received £100 for his services?

MR. ASQUITH

This is the first I have heard that Mr. Leck acted as electioneering agent for any gentleman. Mr. Leck will not be required to pass any examination. He is one of the batch of three Inspectors of Metalliferous Mines whom I have appointed, and in the case of all of them the Treasury has not pressed for an examination, as the gentlemen are specially qualified.

MR. WOODS (Lancashire, S.E., Ince)

Has Mr. Leek any practical experience of mining?

MR. ASQUITH

Yes, very considerable.

MR. STUART-WORTLEY (Sheffield, Hallam)

Does the right hon. Gentleman adhere to the statement that all the qualifications as to age, technical requirements, and service underground have not hitherto been required for Inspectors both of coal mines and of metalliferous mines?

MR. ASQUITH

They have been always required where the Inspectors have to inspect both coal and iron mines.

MR. STUART-WORTLEY

Then I would ask whether this gentleman, after he has received his appointment, will not, under Section 39 of the Coal Mines Act, 1887, be qualified to act as a Coal Mines Inspector?

MR. ASQUITH

No; it has been specially inserted as one of the conditions of his employment that he shall not so act.

MR. J. W. LOWTHER

I beg to give the right hon. Gentleman notice that I shall on the first opportunity available call attention to this matter.