HC Deb 20 December 1927 vol 212 cc214-5
42. Mr. JOHN

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is the intention of the Board to put into operation the recommendations of its Departmental Committee on the Welsh language as embodied in the Committee's Report; and whether he will make his decision known in full detail to the local educational authorities and various other educational authorities in Wales?

Lord E. PERCY

The majority of the Committee's recommendations are addresed to the universities, the Central Welsh Board, the local authorities, and the teachers. These bodies are, I understand, actively discussing the important questions which are raised, and I do not think that it would be desirable for me to make any public announcement on the subject until they have had an opportunity of formulating their views and placing them before me. Recommendations Nos. 1, 2, and 4, addressed by the Committee to my Department, are now being considered by the Welsh Inspectorate and I hope to be able to make an announcement in regard to Recommendation No. 3 before long.

Mr. JOHN

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that it would be advisable for the Board to send out suggestions to the local authorities and the inspectors on the same lines as those already sent out for the teaching of English and other subjects; and could not that be done with respect to the teaching of Welsh in the schools in Wales?

Lord E. PERCY

That is one of the recommendations of the Committee, and one of the things which the Welsh Inspectorate is now considering is whether anything can be drafted on the lines of the English suggestions.

Mr. GRIFFITHS

Is the right hon. Gentleman in sympathy with those recommendations?

Lord E. PERCY

I said that I did not think any public announcement would be of any use until the authorities to whom the recommendations are addressed have considered them, and I am not going to indulge in any general expression of sympathy until they have had a chance of considering them.