92. Mr. SHIRLEY BENNasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he still adheres to his declaration found in White Paper [Cd. 6000], dated 14th December, 1911, that the first officials must be appointed from among men who understand the work and have experience in these matters; and, if so, will he explain his refusal to confirm an appointment made by the Welsh Commissioners of a man as assistant secretary, thoroughly qualified, simply because he does not speak Welsh, recollecting that the secretary does speak Welsh and is capable of dealing with any Welsh letters?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The person appointed to the post of assistant secretary to the Welsh Commission will satisfy the conditions specified in the White Paper referred to, and there is nothing inconsistent with these conditions in the action taken by the Treasury in regard to this appointment.