§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Minister for the Civil Service in what ways his Department gives recognition to the Welsh language; and if he will list the statutory forms used by his Department which are either bilingual or have Welsh versions.
§ Mr. ChannonMy Department gives recognition to the Welsh language in the following ways:
My Department is not responsible for any forms which there is a statutory obligation to complete.
- (i) The Civil Service Commission issues bilingual competition regulations for recruitment to posts where a knowledge of the Welsh language is considered, by the Welsh Office, to be an essential part of the qualifications required. Such posts are then advertised in Welsh and on occasions in English. In addition, the commission's regional office in Wales has a bilingual member on its panel of school speakers.
- (ii) The Welsh language is included on the list used by the Civil Service of approved subjects for external training and further education purposes.