asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the last year, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has made representations to any section of Government concerning proposals for the use of Irish or Ulster-Scots languages; and, if so, to whom, when, and for what purpose. [HL782]

I can confirm that the chief commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission wrote to the Secretary of State on 15 October 2007 to set out the Commission's views on Irish language legislation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the chief commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has had face-to-face discussions with the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure concerning issues of language; and, if so, with whom, when and what was discussed. [HL808]

As the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission remains independent from government, I have asked the chief commissioner to write to the noble Lord on this issue.