§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many meetings of the Welsh Language Council have been held during the past 12 months; how many reports have been produced by them during this period; and if he will arrange for such reports to be circulated to hon. members so that they may be aware of the Council's activities.
§ Mr. John MorrisDuring the past 12 months there have been nine meetings of the Council and 21 meetings of its panels. Three reports have been published; copies have been distributed to hon. Members for Welsh constituencies and placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether members of staff of his Department, who wish to acquire a proficiency in the Welsh language, are entitled to temporary release from their duties to attend intensive courses of instruction such as those currently organised under the auspices of the University of Wales.
§ Mr. John MorrisStaff are released to attend such courses whenever possible. So far this year places for seven members of staff have been reserved at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.
§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has after the present financial year for the government grant to assist the publication of books in the Welsh language.
§ Mr. John MorrisI propose to extend the grant for a further three-year period. To take account of increased production costs since 1973, it will be raised from the present level of £25,000 a year to £45,000 in 1976–77. The level of grant in the second and third years will be determined after reviews at the appropriate time. I hope that this improvement grant will 251W enable the publishers to maintain the production of books in Welsh by which they perform an essential service to the language, and that purchasers of Welsh books will give their full support.