HC Deb 18 April 2000 vol 348 cc453-4W
Mr. Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to complete his Department's assessment of the status of the Cornish language before ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in November this year. [119348]

Ms Beverley Hughes

We will consider carefully the Government's position on Cornish, taking account of the findings of an independent academic study commissioned by the Government Office for the South West and in consultation with other Departments. The Government expect to be in a position to ratify the Charter later this year. The timing of ratification does not depend on the outcome of our consideration of the issue of Cornish.

Mr. Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publish the recently completed study report into the status and usage of the Cornish language in Cornwall. [119347]

Ms Beverley Hughes

Copies of the report of the independent academic study on Cornish, commissioned by the Government Office for the South West, will be published shortly and copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The report will be available on the Government Office's website www.gosw.gov.uk and on request.