HL Deb 06 February 2003 vol 644 cc43-4WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7 January (WA 171) concerning the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), on what projects or conferences DCAL has co-operated with the European Centre for Minority Issues which would increase awareness of the Irish language. [HL1119]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Lingusitic Diversity Branch accepted the invitation of the European Centre for Minority Issues to take part in a conference held by it from 23 to 24 June 2000 in Flensburg, Germany entitled "Evaluating Policy Measures for Minority Languages".

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7 January 2003 (WA 171) concerning the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), on what projects or conferences DCAL has co-operated with the University of Ulster which would increase awareness of the Irish language. [HL1120]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Officials from DCAL took part in planning discussions with the organisers of the conference on the theme of "Scotland and Ulster, A Common Heritage, Language, History and Identity 1600–2000" in Magee College, University of Ulster, on 29 to 30 June 2001. One official spoke at the conference.

Mr Michael McGimpsey, former DCAL Minister, addressed the "Conference on Communicating Cultures" held in the University of Ulster on 20 to 22 June 2002.

Irish language and Ulster-Scots heritage and language were dealt with at both conferences.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7 January (WA 171) concerning the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), on what projects or conferences DCAL has co-operated with Queen's University, Belfast which would increase awareness of Ulster-Scots heritage and language. [HL1121]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Officials from DCAL participated in the following conferences organised by Queen's University, Belfast:

  • The Dialect 2000: Language Links Conference 9–16 August 2000;
  • Symposium on Language and Politics, 23–25 August 2001;
  • Symposium on Language and Politics, 18–20 September 2002.

These symposia provided opportunities for Irish and Ulster-Scots interests to come together to discuss their general positions and to address specific areas of interest or concern.