§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Prime Minister if he will require the 2001 census to ascertain proficiency in(a) all indigenous languages of the United Kingdom and (b) in major European Community languages. [8783]
§ The Prime MinisterNo final proposals will be made until 1998 in the light of cases made for all potential questions. However, little need has been stated for information from the census on proficiency in European Community languages and it seems unlikely that there will be a question about this. Some needs have been expressed for extensions to the questions on indigenous languages asked in Wales and Scotland in the 1991 census, and these are being considered.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Prime Minister if he will require the 2001 census to ascertain the extent of proficiency in the Welsh language in all nations of the United Kingdom. [8784]
§ The Prime MinisterThe matter is under consideration. No final proposals will be made until 1998 in the light of the cases made for all potential questions.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Prime Minister if he will establish an office in Wales to oversee the conduct of the 2001 census. [8785]
§ The Prime MinisterBy statute it is the duty of the Registrar General to make the arrangements for taking the census throughout England and Wales. The Registrar General is, and will be, working closely with the Welsh Office in planning and co-ordinating the proposed 2001 census.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Prime Minister if he will require the 2001 census forms in Wales to be published in a bilingual Welsh-English form. [8786]
§ The Prime MinisterIn the 1991 census in Wales, bilingual English-Welsh publicity material was distributed and the census form itself was available in Welsh as well as in English. The acceptability, effectiveness and practicability of a bilingual census form are under consideration.