§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff are employed in the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; how many have competence in the Irish language; and how many have competence in the Ulster Scots language. [98197]
§ Angela SmithLinguistic Diversity Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has 10 members of staff comprising 9 permanent employees and one casual. These staff belong to the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) general administrative grades and have been recruited in accordance with NICS competencies and procedures. Expertise in specific languages is not among the core competencies which are required of general service administrative staff in the NICS.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to which trustees the draft linguistic diversity policy of the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland has been presented; and for what reason. [98199]
§ Angela SmithA new Board of Trustees of the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland was appointed in July 2002. The board has not yet seen
216W
Table 1: Number of patients from each Health Board Area referred for private treatment under the ECR scheme Health Board of Residence
Northern Ireland
Abroad England Scotland Wales Mainland GB Total 19991 Eastern 2 4 9 0 0 9 15 1999–2000 Northern n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1999–2000 Southern 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 20001 Eastern 1 6 37 8 3 48 55 2000–01 Northern 0 3 n/a n/a n/a 12 15 2000–01 Southern 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 the draft linguistic diversity policy, but it is hoped that its, members will have an opportunity to consider and formally adopt the draft shortly.
One member of the outgoing board was actively involved in the development of the draft policy, through chairing the working group that was established by the board to take the process forward. However, the other members of the outgoing board did not consider the draft before the end of their term of office.