HC Deb 14 December 1982 vol 34 c114W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to permit a person intending to register a birth, death or marriage in Wales to submit the necessary information to the registrars in the Welsh language only.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

No. At present regulations under the Welsh Language Act provide that in Wales the entry may be completed in Welsh as well as in English where the required particulars are provided in both languages. Records of births, deaths and marriages must be readily understood by all who consult them; I am unwilling to place registrars in the position of having to translate into English information given only in Welsh.