§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Attorney-General on what date his Department received notification from the Welsh Language Board in relation to the need to prepare a Welsh language scheme; on what date his Department and the Board held consultations on such a scheme; when a scheme was formally submitted to the Board; and if it has been approved. [53352]
The Attorney-GeneralThe Crown Prosecution Service launched its Welsh Language policy on 11 April 1994 and was commended for this by the Welsh Language Board. On 14 October 1997, an informal discussion took place between members of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Welsh Language Board on the preparation of a formal Crown Prosecution Service Welsh Language Policy in accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993. On 30 October 1997, the Welsh Language Board wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions to invite the Crown Prosecution Service to prepare a Welsh Language Scheme and submit it to the Board for approval by 31 July 1998. The Director confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service was happy to comply and the draft Welsh Language Scheme was submitted to the Welsh Language Board for approval on 17 July 1998. When the Board's comments have been408W received, the Crown Prosecution Service will advertise the details of the draft Scheme for comment from interested parties.