HC Deb 07 March 1983 vol 38 c552
9. Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department has yet established liaison with the European bureau for the lesser spoken languages.

The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Wyn Roberts)

The bureau has not yet been set up, but Welsh Office officials are in touch with the Commission's office for Wales.

Mr. Hooson

Will my hon. Friend ensure that there is a strong Welsh lead in the bureau when it is set up, to achieve practicality, not least because there is always a danger with a project of this type, which is potentially worth while, that it will become the worst sort of pointless sociological exploration?

Mr. Roberts

My hon. Friend may be aware that the bureau's initial budget will be £56,000. Spending on the Welsh language in Wales in the coming year will be £2.5 million, almost four times as much as during 1978–79. I understand that apart from all the Celtic lesser spoken languages in Britain, the Republic of Ireland and France, there are no fewer than 12 lesser spoken languages in Italy alone.

Mr. Abse

I appreciate that the Secretary of State must have his priorities in deciding with whom he liaises, but will the Under-Secretary of State suggest to his right hon. Friend that he begins liaising inside Wales? Is the Minister aware that the Secretary of State has never—he cannot deny this—visited the National Coal Board's premises or a pit during the time that he has been Secretary of State for Wales? Does he think that this is a contribution to industrial relations within south Wales?

Mr. Roberts

I am astonished that the hon. Gentleman believes that his supplementary question arises from the main question, which is about the European bureau for the lesser spoken languages.