§ 8. Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had any request from the Central regional council for financial assistance in the current financial year to support the teaching of the Gaelic language in schools.
§ Mr. Allan StewartNo, Sir.
§ Mr. ForsythIs my hon. Friend aware that, in the Highlands area of my constituency, Central region has consistently refused to provide for the teaching of Gaelic in schools—despite clear evidence of parental demand —and has blamed lack of resources, although resources are found to teach Russian? In assessing the Conservative commitment to extend parental choice, will he take this into account?
§ Mr. StewartI am aware of my hon. Friend's concern on this point, about which he has written to me. I understand that a class in Gaelic is now being offered at Maclaren high school in Callander on a trial basis It is up to the education authorities and head teachers to decide whether Gaelic, or other options, such as Russian, are required in the curriculum. I am not able to comment on the relative demand for Russian and Gaelic in my hon. Friend's constituency.
§ Mr. Donald StewartIs the Minister aware that the pathetic response of some councils in Scotland is due to their taking a cue from the Scottish Office, which has not given support for the language that the countries behind the iron curtain give to their cultures? Will he take up with his right hon. Friend the fact that the language has been pathetically supported by the Scottish Office in the past and do something more realistic about it, in the light of the more encouraging returns from the last census?
§ Mr. StewartI do not agree with the right hon. Gentleman. As he knows, we have supported the bilingual education project in the Western Isles, and that is currently being evaluated. On his first point, I do not believe that the Scottish education system should emulate the characteristics of education systems behind the iron curtain.
§ Mr. KennedyFollowing the question from the right hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Stewart), will the Minister concede that there is considerable disappointment among various bodies and individuals who are trying to promote Gaelic language and Gaelic culture about the recent level of support indicated by the Scottish Office? Will he further give some indication whether the Scottish Office, if and when invited, will send a representative to the two-day conference being organised by the Highlands region in Inverness on the promotion of the language? Will he also say, finally, whether the Government will send a representative to the National Mod which will be held in Cape Breton in 1985, for the first time outwith the shores of Scotland?
§ Mr. StewartI note the various invitations that the hon. Gentleman makes to me. I emphasise to him the support that we give to the Gaelic language and culture.
§ Mr. KennedyHow does it compare with the Welsh Office?
§ Mr. StewartThe Scottish Office continues to give substantial support to the various organisations involved, and I would expect broadly that, despite public expenditure constraints, we would be able to maintain that support at the same level. In reply to the seated intervention of the hon. Gentleman, our support for the Gaelic language works out at about 93p per capita of the speaking and writing population, and our support for the Welsh language works out at about 93p per capita also.
§ Mr. O'NeillWill the Minister concede, in response to the request implicit in question No. 8 from the hon. Member for Stirling (Mr. Forsyth), that a massive injection of public funds is required to support the Gaelic language? The experiment that is being carried out in Maclaren high school in Callander is taking place with the active cooperation of the rector who is taking the first-year class. That kind of arrangement can persist for one year only, and it will require money from the Scottish Education Department to fund it on a longer and wider basis.
§ Mr. StewartThe hon. Gentleman is correct about the trial period for the class at Maclaren high school. However, financial support for the education service, along with support for other local authority services, is provided through the rate support grant. Finally, I do not suppose that even the hon. Gentleman believed his first point.