HC Deb 17 June 1954 vol 528 cc2266-7
27. Mr. C. Hughes

asked the Minister of Agriculture what educational tests are given to prospective candidates for employment by the Forestry Commission in Wales; and whether candidates are given the opportunity to answer either in English or in Welsh.

Sir T. Dugdale

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to candidates for entry to a Forester Training School. Candidates for the schools are selected by interview, at which they may speak in Welsh, and by an elementary written examination the papers for which are available in Welsh. An essay may be written in Welsh, but other questions must be answered in English.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that several Welsh candidates have been rejected by the Forestry Commission because the interview has been held in English and because the examination papers have been set in English? Will he ensure that in future the facilities referred to in his reply will be granted to candidates from Wales if they so desire?

Sir T. Dugdale

The hon. Gentleman has not got this quite clear. Selection boards sit from time to time in both Cardiff and Shrewsbury. At each board a Welsh-speaking person is a member of the panel. It is true that the essays may be written in Welsh, but other questions have to be answered in English because the Forestry Commission is one service throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Are we to understand that in the employment of the Forestry Commission in Wales there are not adequate people to conduct these interviews in Welsh?

Sir T. Dugdale

No, there are always Welsh-speaking people there.