§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales if, subject to the Bowen Committee's Report, he will seek legislative powers to remove any restriction or inhibition which may be at the moment upon the freedom of local authorities in Wales to use the Welsh language side by side with the English language if it so wishes; and to procure funds to reimburse any local authority which is put to substantial added work with regard the adoption of such a policy.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasLocal authorities in Wales already have wide powers to use96W the Welsh language side by side with English if they so wish and I would refer the hon. Member to Welsh Office Circular 82 /69 (1st October, 1969). If local authorities choose to exercise these powers, additional expenditure which they may incur would rank for the resources element of rate support grant for which nearly all authorities in Wales are eligible.