HC Deb 14 June 1976 vol 913 cc53-4W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to encourage education authorities in Wales to adopt a language policy with the aim of ensuring that every child has, by the age of 11 years, a full working knowledge of both the Welsh and English languages.

Mr. Barry Jones

Local education authorities are encouraged to make pro- vision for bilingual education that is in keeping with the linguistic characteristics of their areas. It would be unrealistic to expect every authority in Wales to adopt policies designed to ensure that every child has a full working knowledge of Welsh by the age of 11.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales which county education authorities in Wales have adopted a policy of endeavouring to ensure that every pupil by the end of primary education is fully bilingual in Welsh and English.

Mr. Barry Jones

I understand that no local education authority in Wales has adopted such a policy.

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