§ 70. Mr. EDGAR JONESasked whether, in future appointments by the Welsh Insurance Commissioners to the outdoor staff, advertisement, selection, and examination will be followed as recommended in White Paper, Cd. 6231?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe method of selection referred to in the question was recommended by the Interdepartmental Committee only in the case of the initial appointments to the outdoor staff. If my hon. Friend will refer to paragraph 27 of the Report of that Committee he will see that, they contemplated future vacancies being filled by open competitive examination. I am not yet in a position to say what action will be taken upon the latter recommendation.
§ 71. Mr. E. JONESasked whether, in examinations held in connection with appointments by the Welsh Insurance Commissioners, a paper testing the candidates' knowledge of Welsh will be set; and whether a Civil Service Commissioner will conduct the examination in Welsh?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Welsh Commissioners do not consider that an examination in Welsh is necessary, but they will satisfy themselves that a due proportion of the officers appointed to the outdoor stall in Wales shall be Welsh speaking.
§ Mr. E. JONESIs it not a fact that the Departmental Committee stated in its report that a knowledge of Welsh was indispensable?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am not sure about that. The Commissioners certainly informed me that they intend to appoint a portion of their officers who shall be Welsh speaking.
§ 72. Mr. E. JONESasked whether an examination is shortly to be held in Wales for auditors under the National Insurance Act; and whether full particulars will be 2054 published in the Press and otherwise in good time for candidates to prepare for the examination?
§ Mr. MASTERMANA common audit staff for the United Kingdom is being appointed by the Treasury. Applications for these appointments have already been invited, and the appointments are now being made.
§ Mr. E. JONESDoes the right hon. Gentleman not remember that he stated a week or two ago in reply to a question that an examination would be held in Wales?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, I do not remember that. The auditors will be liable for service in any part of the Kingdom. Efforts will be made to appoint some who speak Welsh.
§ Mr. E. JONESIs it not a fact that in regard to the appointment of auditors for Wales there is a condition that they should have a knowledge of Welsh?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI do not think so; certainly not in the audit department.
§ 73. Mr. E. JONESasked whether, in view of the comparatively limited number of candidates for insurance appointments in Wales, the examinations will be made open and competitive?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Welsh Commissioners are following the recommendations of the Interdepartmental Committee, under which equal opportunities are given to all properly qualified candidates, and in view of the promise made in this House that the appointments should be made by the Commissioners without influence by the Government I am not prepared to interfere with their discretion in the matter.