§ 17. Major OWENasked the Minister of Labour, in view of the fact that the divisional controller of the Ministry of Labour for the Welsh division has retired and that an official without any knowledge of the Welsh language has been appointed to succeed him, why an official without any knowledge of the Welsh language has been appointed to a post where a thorough knowledge of the Welsh language is essential in order to enable him to carry out his duties efficiently and satisfactorily?
§ 22. Mr. ERNEST EVANSasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction at the appointment of a non-Welsh speaking official as divisional controller of the Ministry in Wales; and whether he will make the necessary arrangements to appoint to the post someone who is conversant with conditions in Wales and who possesses knowledge of the Welsh language?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI would refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. Member for the University of Wales (Mr. E. Evans) on 22nd March. My right hon. Friend does not see his way to alter the arrangements already made.
§ Major OWENIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a very large proportion of the work which this officer has to do is in the Welsh language, and would he advise the appointment of a Welshman over an area in England; and is it not possible for some justice to be done to an integral part of the Kingdom, instead of ignoring it in this fashion on every opportunity?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe hon. and gallant Gentleman need not be in the least afraid that any injustice will be done. I have no doubt it is perfectly true that a knowledge of the Welsh language is a qualification, but it is not the only one. I have no doubt it would apply also, for instance, to a Welsh Member of Parliament.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESIs the Minister willing to consider applications from Welshmen who cannot speak English, for positions in England?
§ Mr. BETTERTONEach application will be considered on its merits when it comes.
§ Mr. BETTERTONNone.
§ Mr. E. EVANSIs it not the fact that the Divisional Controller found it of very great assistance to him, in making his decisions, that he was conversant with the Welsh language?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo doubt, as I have already said, it is a qualification, but it is not the only one, and all the circumstances were taken into account by my right hon. Friend when he made the appointment.
Commander WILLIAMSIs it not a fact that very few people who speak Welsh are much good at anything else?
§ Mr. MARDY JONESOn a point of Order. My point of Order is that although the question on the Paper is not mine, as a Welsh Member I am vitally interested in this matter——
§ Mr. SPEAKERcalled the next question.