§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to ask the census question on knowledge of the Irish language in Gaelic, requesting the written response in the same language, if affirmative; and if he will make a statement. [6379]
§ Sir John WheelerA census test will be held in 1997 in Northern Ireland as in other areas of the United Kingdom. The Northern Ireland census test form will include a question on whether individuals can read, speak or write in the Irish language, or have no knowledge of the language. The question will be worded in English. The results of the test will be evaluated and in due course the Government will bring forward proposals to be asked in the 2001 census for parliamentary approval.