§ 27. Mr. Hoosonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the proportion of the Government's support for the arts in Wales which is specifically allocated to activities that sustain the Welsh language.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneCentral Government support for the arts in Wales is administered by the Welsh Arts Council. It distributes its grants on the basis of the artistic needs and merits of the activities it supports, as distinct from the language content, although many of these activities will sustain the Welsh language. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales disburses Government funds specifically to foster the Welsh language, principally through the education budget for Wales.
§ Mr. HoosonWill the Government nevertheless bear in mind that the Welsh language is the most distinctive part of the entire heritage of Wales and that, accordingly, special attention to the needs of the language is called for?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe request made by my hon. Friend has been acknowledged in two pieces of legislation in the past 12 1043 months—the Education Act and the Broadcasting Bill. The points that he has made will be acknowledged by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.