§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to allow children whose first language is Welsh to take national curriculum testing at seven through the medium of Welsh; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsYes. Children taught through the medium of Welsh will be assessed in Welsh. Organisations contracted to develop standard assessment tasks are preparing them in both English and Welsh.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to publish a Welsh Language Bill; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have made clear to the chairman of the Welsh Language Board that I will consider very carefully any specific proposals that the board might make.
The strategy document that the board has published today makes clear the board's view that all those with an interest should have the opportunity to shape future policy in support of the Welsh language. The strategy document is the starting point in that process and the board will be consulting on it widely.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the representations he has received concerning national curriculum testing of pupils at the ages of seven and 11 years and whose first language is Welsh; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsA number of the respondents to the consultation exercise on proposals for attainment targets and programmes of study in English 5–11 commented on assessment and testing; most of these supported the Secretary of State's proposals. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman to list the respondents and to list those who subsequently responded to the consultation on the proposal to exempt pupils taught in Welsh from assessment against the attainment targets for English.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the county councils of Wales to discuss his Department's proposals to enhance the status of the Welsh language; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsMy right hon. Friend has no plans at present to meet the Welsh county councils to discuss the Welsh Language Board's proposals in relation to the Welsh language. The Welsh Language Board will however be consulting all those organisations with an interest.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy under the national curriculum on testing in English of pupils whose first language is Welsh at 11 years; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Wyn RobertsPupils who are taught through the medium of Welsh will be assessed in Welsh. At the age of 11 all pupils, whether taught in Welsh or English, will be assessed against the same attainment targets for English.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he proposes to meet the Welsh Language Board to discuss the board's suggestion concerning the possible contents of a Welsh Language Bill.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsMy right hon. Friend regularly meets the chairman of the Welsh Language Board to discuss any proposals that they make.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those district councils in Wales which have published(a) bilingual poll tax forms, (b) English-only forms with a reference to provision of Welsh language forms if requested and (c) English-only forms with no such statement.
§ Mr. GristThis information is not held centrally. A welsh translation of the model community charge canvass form circulated in practice note 8 was sent to all district councils in Wales. Camera-ready copy of this translation was also made available on request.