§ MR. DAVID THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether, having regard to the promise made by his predecessor, he is now prepared to appoint sub-assistant inspectors from among the ranks of practical workmen to assist the present inspectors of coal mines in the discharge of their duties?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYThe only statement which, so far as I am aware, was made by my predecessor in regard to this matter was in answer to a question of the hon. Member, and was to the effect that assistant inspectors had been appointed from among men who had had practical experience as workmen, but that he could give no pledge as to the future. I am not prepared to create a new class of sub-assistant inspectors, but the claims of candidates with practical experience will always be carefully considered by me, provided that they are also possessed of the necessary theoretical knowledge and other requirements.