§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people answered the Irish language question in the affirmative at the last census; if he will arrange that in the next census the questions on the Northern Ireland census form relating to speaking and understanding the Irish language are printed in Irish and that it will require a positive written answer in the Irish language for an adult individual or family to be counted as Irish speaking; and if he will consider a similar question for speakers of the Ulster-Scots language. [38484]
§ Sir John WheelerThe number of people who answered the Irish language question in the affirmative at the last census was 142,003. The number and form of questions to be included in the 2001 census has not yet been determined. Those finally decided on will be as a result of consultation, testing and review. The suggestions put forward by the hon. Gentleman will be considered as part of this process. A census order including the proposed questions will be laid before Parliament in 1999.