§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many consultations his Department has held with groups aiming to increase the use of Gaelic in Scotland in the years(a) 1991, (b) 1992, (c) 1993 and (d) 1994; and if he will make a statement. [29620]
§ Sir Hector MonroThe Scottish Office has frequent discussions, both formal and informal, with Gaelic organisations and others involved in the support and development of the language and culture. No central record of all such discussions is held, but over the last 12 months, for example, officials have had formal meetings with Comunn na Gaidhlig, An Comunn Gaidhealach, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the National Gaelic Arts Project, the Scottish Committee of the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages, Feisean nan Gaidheal, Comann an Luchd-Ionnsachaidh, Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich and Comann nam Parant. In addition, they met a delegation of students from Edinburgh university with a petition about Gaelic education and have had discussions on various aspects of Gaelic development with the Scottish Arts Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and a number of regional councils. Similar meetings took place in the earlier years.
Over the period 1991 to 1994, Ministers have attended a Royal National Mod, the opening of the Gaelic Television Committee's office in Stornoway and the opening of the new extension to Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic college on Skye. In addition, Ministers have held one formal meeting with representatives of the Gaelic Television Committee and met representatives of the Gaelic parliamentary group last year to discuss issues relating to Gaelic education.