98. Sir HERBERT ROBERTSasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether there is dissatisfaction in North Wales in regard to the arbitrators nominated by the Board under the provisions of the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1908; whether he has received objections to these nominations upon the ground that the arbitrators appointed were unacquainted with the Welsh language and had no knowledge of the special agricultural conditions of Wales; and whether, in re- 2220 gard to future appointments, he will be prepared to obtain the opinion of some authority outside the Board in relation to the names to be included on the arbitrators' panel?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAs far as I have been able to ascertain, there has only been one case recently in which objection has been taken to the appointment of an arbitrator on the ground that he does not speak Welsh. The arbitrator in the case is otherwise well qualified and fully understands the agricultural conditions of Wales. At the hearing of the arbitration he will have the assistance of an interpreter, if necessary. I may add that in the case in question objection was made by one or other of the parties to no less than fifteen local gentlemen whose names were suggested. With regard to the last part of the question, I am at all times glad to consider the names of duly qualified persons suggested to me for inclusion in the list from which arbitrators are appointed by the Board.