§ 4. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures available for the number of Welshspeakers in and out of Wales; what steps he is taking to stimulate the use of the Welsh language; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wyn Roberts:According to the 1981 census there were 508,207 Welsh speakers aged 3 and over in Wales on census night. No figures are available for Welsh speakers outside Wales.
To date, £2,366,750 has been earmarked in 1982–83 by my right hon. Friend to assist positive and constructive activities designed to foster the use of the Welsh language. I recently invited those with an interest in the Welsh language to let me have their suggestions as to how best the Government's future financial support for the language might be applied.