§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will write to each of the eight county councils in Wales reminding them of the requirements of the Registration of Births, Still Births and Deaths (Welsh Language) Regulations made under the Welsh Language Act, which allow the registration of the birth of children through the Welsh language where an officer is present who can understand the Welsh language and to ask them to ensure that at least one of their staff is capable of providing this service.
§ Mr. John PattenNo. I am sure that the eight county councils in Wales are aware of the requirements of the Welsh Language Act. The appointment of registration officers is a matter for the county councils who have complete discretion within the prescribed qualifications.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children there are in Wales whose birth has not been registered because their parents have not been allowed to register the birth through the Welsh language.
§ Mr. John PattenThe state does not refuse to allow registrations to be made through the Welsh language. Regulations made under the Welsh Language Act provide for a birth in Wales to be registered in Welsh as well as 455W English where the required particulars are given to the registration officer in both languages and the registration officer can understand and write Welsh.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in which counties of Wales it is possible for parents to register the birth of their children through the medium of the Welsh language; and in which counties this is not possible because there are no registration officers capable of understanding Welsh.
§ Mr. John PattenBilingual birth registration facilities are available in every county in Wales as there are registration officers who can understand and write Welsh in each of the eight counties.