§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date his Department received notification from the Welsh Language Board in relation to the need to prepare a Welsh language scheme; on what date his Department and the Board held consultations on such a scheme; when a scheme was formally submitted to the Board; and if it has been approved. [53357]
§ Ms JowellThe Department received notification from the Welsh Language Board on 5 December 1996. Consultations took place within the Department and with the Welsh Language Board until early May 1997. On 7 May 1997 the Permanent Secretary's office wrote to the Welsh Language Board confirming the Department's position which was that it had suitably flexible arrangements in place to fulfil its responsibilities to Welsh speaking people and saw no need for a formal Welsh Language Scheme.