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Welsh Language

Volume 808: debated on Monday 7 December 1970

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asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the current use made in Wales of the Welsh versions of official forms and documents which have been translated under the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1967.

In the main, the use made of the Welsh versions of official forms and documents is small. In a few instances the number of Welsh forms issued as a percentage of the corresponding English versions is in the region of 10 per cent., but in most it is less than 2 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider setting up a non-political body to co-ordinate present efforts to encourage the use of the Welsh language in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now take steps to set up an official institution to look after the interests of the Welsh language and to stimulate interest in Welsh culture.

I still have under consideration the proposals which have been made to that effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the approximate annual total cost to Government Departments of translating documents into Welsh.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give financial assistance to local authorities in Wales to assist them in the translation into Welsh of forms, documents and signs.

No; but in so far as local authorities receive a rate support grant, this contributes towards the cost of any translations which they may undertake.