§ Mr. EDGAR JONESasked whether the inspector of mines now placed in charge of the Cardiff district had a competent knowledge of the Welsh language which satisfied the provisions of c. 58, s. 39, of The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Cardiff district no longer exists. Under the new scheme 193 of reorganisation, following on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Mines, the Cardiff and Swansea districts and the County of Monmouth, which previously formed part of the southern district, have been combined to form the new South Wales Division. The superintending inspector, who before the change had the general supervision of the Cardiff and Swansea districts, is retained with the altered title of divisional inspector. He does not speak Welsh; there is no Welsh-speaking inspector who is his equal in standing and qualifications; but under him is a staff of experienced senior inspectors, each with responsible duties of inspection in the different parts of the Division, all of whom, including the inspector stationed at Cardiff, speak Welsh.
§ Mr. EDGAR JONESThe previous inspector at Cardiff having been shifted to Yorkshire, is there now an inspector in the Cardiff district?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, there is an inspector stationed at Cardiff, and he speaks Welsh.
§ Mr. EDGAR JONESCan the right hon. Gentleman give his name?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not know the names of the different inspectors, but I can easily ascertain them.