§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to establish the office of a commissioner in Wales to deal with questions relating to the use of the Welsh language, and to investigate cases of alleged discrimination against persons asking to use the Welsh language in dealing with public authorities.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsNo.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his Department's policy with regard to releasing statements to the press in the Welsh language or bilingually in Welsh and English.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsMost departmental press notices are issued in English. However, where the subject relates specifically to the Welsh language, press notices are issued in Welsh as well as in English.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Wales what action he has taken to commission research into the effect of S4C on the use of the Welsh language; and if he will make a statement.
333W
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsIn its response to the second report from the Committee on Welsh Affairs "Report on Broadcasting in the Welsh language", Cmnd. 8469, the Government accepted the Committee's recommendation about the need for cost-effective research.
In 1983 I commissioned the department of social theory and institutions at the University College of North Wales to undertake a feasibility study on the costs and methodology which could be employed in a possible full scale study. The Social Science Research Council was consulted prior to the commencement of the project and a member of the staff at the centre for mass communications research, University of Leicester acted as the Department's adviser during the course of the project.
I have now received the report, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
The complexities of the task were fully recognised by all from the outset, and I have concluded, with the benefit of expert advice, that a further long-term study at an estimated cost of £ 400,000 as recommended in the report could not be justified.