§ Mr. WATTasked the Home Secretary if he can state the number of mines inspectors appointed within the last ten years who have been Welshmen or men whose mining experience has been principally in mines in Wales; and whether he can give the corresponding figures with regard to Scotland?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. Inquiries are not made, in the selection of candidates for mines inspectorships, as to the particular section of the nation to which a candidate belongs: nor would it be expedient to make experience in a particular coalfield a qualification for appointment, as Inspectors when appointed are liable to serve, as occasion may require, in any part of the country, and experience gained in one part of the country is often most valuable in another. In the case of Wales, Parliament has imposed the requirement that among candidates equally qualified persons having a knowledge of the Welsh language are to be preferred, in view of the employment of Welsh-speaking persons in the mines, and of the fifteen Inspectors appointed during the last ten years, three are inspectors with a knowledge of the Welsh language.
§ Mr. WATTasked how many of the thirty new mine inspectors to be appointed are to be allocated to Scotland; and whether the number so allocated will have received their training and experience in Scottish mines?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA full statement showing the allocation of the first fifteen appointments will be issued, I hope, in the course of the present week.