Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how he intends to implement those recommendations in the Welsh Language Board's strategy document, "The Welsh Language.—A Strategy for the Future," directly relating to the responsibilities of his Department;
(2) what formal response he has made to the strategy document prepared by the Welsh Language Board and entitled "The Welsh Language—A Strategy for the Future" and its proposals for recommendations.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe proposals in the Welsh Language Board's strategy document are being considered together with other related proposals made by the board.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how his Department proposes to implement the recommendations and policy contained in the Welsh Language Board's document, "A Bilingual Policy—Guidelines for the Public Sector:"
(2)if he will arrange to review the Welsh language policy of each body of which the Welsh Office is the sponsor Department;
(3)if he will issue guidance to local authorities in Wales based on the Welsh Language Board's document entitled, "A Bilingual Policy—Guidelines for the Public Sector."
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe Welsh Language Board has already invited every public body in Wales to review its Welsh language policy having regard to the board's voluntary guidelines. The Welsh Office is among those currently considering its response. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will consider whether there is need for further guidelines in the light of the overall response.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what criteria he will use in considering applications from schools to be excluded from the Welsh language teaching requirements of the national curriculum.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe Secretary of State has been considering this issue in the light of the responses to his consultation on proposals for Welsh in the national curriculum. As a result of that consultation the Secretary of State is publishing today a draft order in accordance with section 21(3) of the Education Reform Act, prescribing attainment targets and programmes of study for Welsh, together with an explanatory statement and an account of the consultation. Copies have been placed in the Library. Consultation on the draft order ends on 28 February and the Secretary of State intends to make a final order in April.
The draft order and its associated document set out attainment targets and programmes of study which are designed to be achievable in schools of different kinds throughout Wales. Nevertheless there may be circumstances where a school may need to be exempted at least 607W temporarily. The Secretary of State has powers to make regulations under section 17 of the Act to prescribe exceptions from the national curriculum. He will be consulting soon on proposals for such regulations.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all suggestions he has received from the Welsh Language Board regarding statutory and administrative changes designed to enhance the use and status of the Welsh language, together with his response.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe Welsh Language Board's main proposals are those contained in its strategy document, its voluntary guidelines for the public and private sectors, and its draft Welsh Language Bill. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is considering the practical implications of the board's proposals before he responds. In addition, there has been considerable progress on a range of other matters concerning legislation and administrative practice which have been raised by the board.