Mr. W. JENKINSasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider Welsh as an essential qualification in the appointment of the chief inspector of schools, for Wales; and whether he will have a consultation with the Welsh Members before any such appointment is made?
Mr. WOODFor any post of such importance I should regard it as essential to choose the very best man available, and though I should regard a knowledge of Welsh as a very important qualification and should do my best to obtain a first-rate man possessing it, I should be sorry in advance to bind myself further. I should, of course, aim at getting a man who would be acceptable to Welsh public opinion, but I ought not to bind myself to the procedure suggested by the hon. Member or any other procedure.