Mr. ElystanMorgan asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps have been taken by him since taking office to encourage the use of the Welsh language by officials of his Department when corresponding with persons whose first language is Welsh.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasMy officials would not usually know whether the first language of any particular person was Welsh, but correspondence received in the Department in Welsh is answered in the Welsh language.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will undertake a study of the validity of deeds and documents of title in the Welsh language in this connection can be fostered.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNo. I am advised that in point of law a deed may be written in the Welsh language. The use of Welsh in private or commercial transactions, however, is a matter for the parties concerned.