§ 18. Mr. Morrisasked the Minister of Health what publicity was given to the fact that, during the recent census, census forms were available in Welsh; What instructions were given to enumerators to ensure equal availability and use of forms in either language; and what proportion of Welsh to English forms were given to enumerators in Welsh speaking areas.
§ Miss PittThis was mentioned in Press publicity and in the B.B.C. Welsh programmes. Enumerators were instructed to issue a form in Welsh to any 915 householder who asked for one. Supplies were distributed to Welsh speaking areas in various proportions, up to a maximum of about 1 to 8, and further supplies were held in reserve.
§ Mr. MorrisWill the Minister have the Welsh census form checked for spelling? I understand that there may be errors in the form, although I have not seen it. Will she inquire into complaints which I have received that the use of both languages was not on an equal plane?
§ Miss PittThe form was used for the census in April of this year. I will certainly ask the appropriate people to look at the wording. I am sorry that the hon. Member did not complete the form in Welsh. There were adequate supplies of the forms and a number of the Welsh printed forms were not used.
§ Mr. MorrisMay I ask that people who live in England, as I do, should be given an opportunity in future to complete their forms in Welsh?