§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the purpose of a document The Use of Irish in Official Business prepared and circulated by the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for Northern Ireland, dated 21 June; to whom it was circulated; and what follow-up there has been. [HL419]
§ Lord Williams of MostynA document entitledDraft Interim Guidance on the Use of Irish in Official Business was circulated under cover of internal minute, dated 21 June 2001, to officials for comment. The draft document was designated to assist Ministers in the devolved administration agree on practical steps departments might take to fulfil Government's obligations under Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Language in respect of Irish. Interim guidance was issued to all departments on 6 July 2001.