Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Court Service and the Legal Aid Board have to implement Welsh language schemes. [38080]
§ Mr. HoonThe Court Service and Legal Aid Board must comply with the Welsh Language Act 1993. The Court Service has prepared a draft scheme, which is acceptable to the Welsh Language Board. However, the Board before approving the scheme had indicated it will wait until Rules of Court are settled for hearing arrangements. As yet, no date has been given for the Rules to be settled. However, the Court Service has, since April 1997, provided most of the services referred to in the draft scheme. An information sheet is available in all court offices in Wales which explains the scheme.
The Legal Aid Board is also working with the Welsh Language Board on a Welsh Language Scheme which will set out how the Board will comply with the Act. The Legal Aid board has been asked to prepare a scheme and submit it to the Welsh Language Board by 26 February 1999.