§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [53353]
§ Mr. MealeThe Welsh Language Board (WLB) invited DETR to prepare a Welsh language scheme in a letter dated 13 August 1997.
The first discussions on a scheme were held with WLB on 2 December 1997, and there have been a number of subsequent contacts.
A draft scheme has been prepared and is currently being cleared within the department. DETR hopes to hold final discussions on the text with WLB shortly, prior to putting the scheme out to public consultation.