§ 61. Mr. William Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether it remains the Government's policy to recognise Welsh as an official language in Wales with the same validity as English; and whether he will enumerate the steps taken by them to carry out this policy and to draw this policy to the attention of local and public authorities in Wales.
§ Mr. George ThomasThe Government fully accept the principle of equal validity for the Welsh language, to which effect was given by the Welsh Language Act, 1967.
Since then, substantial steps have been taken to extend its use in official business. Some 230 Government forms have been produced in Welsh or bilingual versions, as well as many leaflets, circulars and other official documents. Welsh is increasingly used by Government Departments in correspondence, public notices and other ways. The Government have recently substantially increased the Welsh Books Grant. In addition, the Welsh Office has given guidance to local authorities on the implementation of this policy in the field of local government.