HC Deb 09 December 1985 vol 88 c608
4. Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what response he has had to his letter of 24 July to the chairman of the Welsh joint education committee on Welsh language education; and if he will make a statement.

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

The Welsh joint education committee replied to my right hon. Friend on 1 October, and following discussions between officials I met the chairman and members of the joint committee on Friday 29 November. We discussed the implications of my right hon. Friend's invitation, and I anticipate another meeting to discuss its specific proposals when it has considered the matter further.

Mr. Thomas

With respect to the Minister and the WJEC, that is not a statement, but a report of discussions. Should not the hon. Gentleman now recognise that his right hon. Friend's proposals for the WJEC to undertake the work of the proposed language development body show that that body has been unable to take that responsibility on board? Will he now accept the need for an independent body?

Mr. Roberts

The WJEC has taken up my right hon. Friend's invitation, and according to its letter The brief answer is that expansion of its work in these directions"— the directions specified by my right hon. Friend— would be within its capacity provided the necessary funds were made available to it.

Mr. Best

Have not the Government spent more on the Welsh language in every area than was spent by any of their predecessors, and is it not premature to talk of increasing resources? Instead, should we not be talking about organisation?

Mr. Roberts

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The first priority is to set up an organisation within the WJEC, and that was the substance of my talks in November. A great deal of money is already being spent on Welsh language education, and that is reflected in the fact that we spend about 9.8 per cent. per head more on primary pupils and 4 per cent. per head more on secondary pupils than do English non-metropolitan authorities.