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In the House of Commons, on Monday night.

Mr. J. W. LOWTHER asked the Home Secretary whether Mr. William Leck, postmaster at Cleator Moor, had been appointed assistant-inspector of the Metalliferous mines in the Cumberland district; whether the same qualifications were necessary for an assistant-inspectorship of mines as were required for inspectorships, and if so whether in respect of limitation of age and of previous employment underground, Mr. Leck possessed the necessary qualifications; and whether this was the same gentleman with respect to whom a coroner's jury in 1888 found a verdict that there had been great but not criminal neglect on his part in the matter of the deaths by suffocation of three men in the pits of the Cleator Iron Ore Company.

Mr. ASQUITH: The answer to the first paragraph is yes. The inspection of metalliferous mines is in most districts performed by the inspectors and assistant-inspectors of coal mines as a subsidiary part of their duties, but for the appointment of inspector of metalliferous mines per se no limit of age or qualification as to previous employment underground has as yet been prescribed, the few appointments of the kind having been conferred on gentlemen who, on account of their training and experience, have been considered qualified to hold them. Mr. Leck is one of the three gentlemen who, as officials of the Cleator ore mines, were concerned in the case referred to in the third paragraph. I was aware of this case when I appointed Mr. Leck, and after carefully considering it I came to the conclusion that the circumstances were not such as to disqualify him. These circumstances were within the knowledge of the large number of persons engaged in the mining industry in the district as employers and employed who urged me to appoint Mr. Leck.

On Tuesday night in the House of Commons.

Mr. J. W. LOWTHER asked the Home Secretary whether Mr. Leck, postmaster at Cleator Moor, who has recently been appointed assistant inspector of metalliferous mines, has passed any examination entitling him to receive a first-class certificate as manager of a mine; and whether he is within the limit of age prescribed for candidates for appointments of inspectors of mines?

Mr. ASQUITH: For the appointment of inspectors of metalliferous mines per se no limit of age or qualification as to previous employment underground has as yet been prescribed, the few appointments of the kind having been conferred on gentlemen who, on account of their training and experience, have been considered qualified to hold them. Therefore, with reference to Mr. Leck, I may say that as far as I know he has not passed any examination. The second part of the question does not apply at all, there being no limit.

Mr. ASQUITH: This is the first I have heard that Mr. Leck acted as electioneering agent for any gentleman. (Ministerial cheers.) Mr. Leck will not be required to pass any examination. He is one of the batch of three inspectors of metalliferous mines whom I have appointed, and in the case of all of them the Treasury has not pressed for an examination, as the gentlemen are specially qualified. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. WOODS: Has Mr. Leck any practical experience of mining?

Mr. ASQUITH: Yes, very considerable.

Mr. STUART WORTLEY: Does the right hon. gentleman adhere to the statement that all the qualifications as to age, technical requirements, and service underground have not hitherto been required for inspectors both of coal mines and of metalliferous mines?

Mr. ASQUITH: They have been always required where the inspectors have to inspect both coal and iron mines.

Mr. WORTLEY: Then I would ask whether this gentleman, after he has received his appointment, will not under section 39 of the Coal Mines Act, 1887, be qualified to act as a coal mines inspector?

Mr. ASQUITH: No; it has been specially inserted as one of the conditions of his employment that he shall not so act.

Mr. LOWTHER: I beg to give the right hon. gentleman notice that I shall, on the first opportunity available, call attention to this matter. (Opposition cheers.)

When the house went into Committee of Supply.

Mr. J. W. LOWTHER drew attention to the case of the appointment of Mr. Leck as an inspector of metalliferous mines, and said that gentleman possessed none of the qualifications required for an inspector of coal and metalliferous mines. An unqualified man would supervise the work of first-class certified mangers, and might by the Coal Mines Act of 1887 have to inspect coal mines. It was all very well to have an understanding between the Home Office and Mr. Leck but they could not override the statute. (Hear, hear.) Then this gentleman, instead of being between the age of 23 and 25 required for coal mines inspectors, was over 40 - (Mr. ASQUITH: 37) - at all events he was above the age for coal mines inspection. This man had no qualifications. What were his disqualifications? Six years ago Mr. Leck was under-manager of an iron mine belonging to the hon. member for West Cumberland (Mr. Ainsworth), and combined with that the secretaryship of the Cleator Moor Liberal Association. In November, 1888, an accident took place by which three men were suffocated, and a jury found that Mr. Leck and two others were guilty of "great but not criminal neglect." Shortly afterwards he left Mr. Ainsworth's employment, and had not since been employed as either manager or under-manager, for he was not qualified; but he remained secretary of the Cleator Moor Liberal Association, and assisted very largely as a sub-agent in returning the present member for West Cumberland, receiving as much as the election agent for his services, viz, £100. (Opposition laughter.) Then he was afterwards appointed by the hon. member for West Cumberland local postmaster, and it was in that very humble position that he had the greatness thrust upon him of this inspectorship. It was notorious that Mr. Leck had distinguished himself in West Cumberland in promoting the welfare of one political party.

Mr. ASQUITH: Does the hon. member suggest that was why he was appointed?

Mr. LOWTHER: If the right hon. gentleman says he was unaware of that?

Mr. ASQUITH: I was totally unaware.

Mr. LOWTHER accepted the statement, but could only come to the conclusion that the right hon. gentleman must have been very badly informed by those who represented that part of the country. The hon. baronet (Sir. W. Lawson) could have told him. He knew Mr. Leck well as a keen political partisan, and so could Mr. Ainsworth. He had little doubt it was at the instigation of the latter hon. member that this gentleman was fortunate enough to obtain the situation. The Radical organ for the locality spoke of Mr. Ainsworth's unwearying efforts to secure the appointment of an inspector. So far back as last January, hearing that Mr. Leck's appointment was contemplated, he (Mr. Lowther) warned the Home Secretary that it would not be favourably received in Cumberland, and laying certain facts before him, including that of the verdict of the jury about Mr. Leck's great negligence. Other facts had since come to his knowledge which he now laid before the House. He did not blame the Home Secretary for the appointment of Mr. Leck, but he did blame his own colleagues in the representation of Cumberland in not having advised the right hon. gentleman, and so prevented a political job. It was unwise that keen political partisans, however excellent otherwise, should be appointed to fill such positions. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. JOHN WILSON (Durham) wanted to remove a false impression, which Mr. Lowther seemed to have. It was not correct that Mr. Leck received his appointment through Mr. Ainsworth. He himself urged Mr. Leck's appointment on the present Home Secretary and his predecessor, because Mr. Leck was sufficiently well qualified to look after metalliferous mines, and an inspector of the Cumberland iron mines was necessary in order to relieve the present inspector for the Durham and Cumberland districts. Mr. Leck's appointment was desired by the workmen themselves. He did not know what Mr. Leck's politics were, and it did not matter what a man's politics were so long as he was qualified for the position of inspector. He was confident that a fitter man could not have been appointed and one with a greater consensus of opinion in favour of his appointment. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. ASQUITH was glad that this matter had been raised even at this rather inconvenient time. The hon. gentleman had levelled against him this most serious accusation, that he had deliberately appointed to a position of great responsibility and importance a person not competent to discharge his duties, because he happened to be a supporter of the political party to which he belonged. He was glad to have an opportunity of refuting that allegation at the earliest possible opportunity.

Mr. J. W. LOWTHER said he made no such charge. He simply stated the facts, and regretted that such a strong political partisan should have been put in this position. He accepted at once the Home Secretary's statement of his total ignorance as to Mr. Leck's politics.

Mr. ASQUITH was glad to accept that statement. There was no more invidious and distasteful duty than the exercise of patronage, but since he had come into office he could say with absolute certainty he had appointed no man to any place under his control from political considerations, direct or indirect. Only the other day he had the opportunity of appointing an assistant under-secretary to the Home Office, and he appointed a gentleman who was a strong Unionist, because he believed him to be the fittest man. (Cheers.) It was natural there might be suspicion, seeing the position Mr. Leck had occupied in the politics of the district, but the House would accept the statement he had made. (Cheers.) It was only candour to say that in looking through the letters on the subject that day he had found a casual statement in one of them that this gentleman was a supporter of, or active worker for, the Liberal party in the district. He could assure the House that had entirely dropped from his memory. (Cheers.) He said unhesitatingly that of all the patronage he had ever had to dispose of no candidate had behind him such a remarkable expression of opinion from opposite quarters in his favour than Mr. Leck had. His name was supported by a deputation from the miners of Lonsdale and Cumberland. After consideration he (Mr. Asquith) came to the conclusion that a special metalliferous mine inspector was required for this district, and at the same time he came to the conclusion that the quarries and metalliferous mines of North Wales were under inspected, and required another inspector. Mr. Leck was also supported by a memorial signed by fourteen of the largest iron mineowners in the district, who spoke of his lifelong experience in iron mining. He was also supported by Mr. Ainsworth (the member for West Cumberland), and by Mr. Burt and Mr. J. Wilson. The only dissentient voice was that of Mr. Lowther himself, but in his letter the hon. member did not warn him against Mr. Leck as being a political partisan. As to the accident and the jury's verdict he had inquired into the case and had satisfied himself that it was not such as to prevent the appointment, although he admitted that he paused some time before making it. There was one consideration which he believed had a great deal to do with the attack, and that was the fact that Mr. Leck was a working man. (Loud cries of "Oh" from the Opposition.) It was a new departure for the Home Office ("Oh") to appoint working inspectors of metalliferous mines, and he could not help thinking a great deal of the attack was due to the fact that Mr. Leck had raised himself from the ranks. ("Oh.")

Mr. STUART WORTLEY said the concluding remarks of the Home Secretary had degraded the debate. (Cheers and "oh.") He denied that the Home Secretary was first to appoint working men as inspectors, for the late Home Secretary appointed many such as factory and coalmine inspectors.

Several members denied that any working men had been made coalmine inspectors by the late Home Secretary.

Mr. WORTLEY adhered to his statement. He believed that the appointment of special metalliferous mines inspectors was against public policy.

Mr. LEGH did not think the defence of the Home Secretary entirely removed the suspicion of political motives, and considered the history of the proceedings showed that Mr. Leck was better known as an active partisan.

Mr. TOMLINSON expressed his opinion that the case was one, which justified investigation.

Mr. JOHN BURNS thought the answer of the Home Secretary was conclusive.

The Appointment Of Mr. Leck Gazetted

The appointment of Mr. William Leck as an inspector under the Metalliferous Mines Regulation Acts was gazetted on Tuesday night, and he will enter upon his duties almost immediately.

The Workmen's Association And The Appointment

A public meeting, under the auspices of the West Cumberland Workmen's Association, was held on Saturday evening in the Oddfellows' Hall, Egremont. There was a good attendance. The chair was occupied by Mr. John Wilson, Egremont, who was supported by Mr. D. Marston, miners' agent, Cleator Moor; Mr. P. Walls, blastfurnacemen's agent, Workington; and Mr. Myers, Dalton, secretary to the Furness Miners' Association. — Mr. MYERS referred to Mr. Leck's appointment as inspector of metalliferous mines. He was very pleased the authorities had appointed such a capable man. The union he represented had been blamed along with their association in regard to the appointment, but he thought they, as working men directly interested in the matter, ought to be represented. Mr. Leck, he thought, would show no favour to either side, but would deal fairly between man and man. (Applause.) — Mr. D. MARSTON, in the course of his remarks, said he fully endorsed all that had been said as regards Mr. Leck's appointment. He was pleased that Mr. Leck had received the appointment, because he believed he was the right man in the right place. (Applause.)

Newspaper transcript kindly provided by
West Cumbria Mines Research.

 

Name	Age	Occupation	Notes
Ainsworth, D.		M.P.
Asquith, Herbert		Home Secretary
Burns, John		M.P.
Burt, Thomas		M.P.	Whos Who Page
Lawson, Wilfred, Sir		M.P.
Leck, William			Whos Who Page
Legh, —		M.P.
Lowther, J. W.		M.P.
Marston, D.		Miners' Agent
Myers, —
Tomlinson, —		M.P.
Walls, P.
Wilson, John		M.P.
Woods, —		M.P.
Wortley, Stuart		M.P.