Diolch, Llywydd. This Friday, as local AM and a member of the Cynon Valley History Society, I will be joining society members to unveil a blue plaque to George Hall at Penrhiwceiber Institute.

Born in the village in 1881, Hall started work in the local colliery aged just 11. Elected checkweighman by his colleagues after 18 years at the coalface, Hall was a keen trade unionist.

This led him into Labour politics, with Hall becoming the first Labour councillor for his ward on Mountain Ash council, aged 27. In 1922, Hall became MP for Aberdare, holding junior office in the 1929 and wartime coalition Governments, and being credited as one of the first to warn of international fascism.

Involved in wartime negotiations on refugees and reconstruction, he was appointed to Clement Attlee's first Cabinet as colonial Secretary. This gave him the chance to put into practice many of the reforms he had long championed. He was later created Viscount Hall and appointed political head of the navy.

Hall came to give others the educational opportunities he had missed out on, was a school and university governor, and established a fund so that young people could travel. When he became a peer, constituents raised £2,000 in honour of his service, which he gave to this cause. 

As was noted on his appointment to the Lords, Hall was not just a first-class all-rounder, he was also a highly qualified expert. As his plaque is unveiled, we can reflect on his tremendous record.