HL Deb 10 February 2003 vol 644 cc95-6WA
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 University of Ulster which would increase awareness of Ulster-Scots heritage and language. [HL1161]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave to Question HL1120 on 6 February 2003. (WA 43).

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7 January (WA171) 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 the Irish language. [HL1162]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

I refer the noble Lord to my Answer I gave to Question HL1121 on 6 February 2003. (WA 43).

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7 January 2003 (WA 171), upon which projects or conferences the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has co-operated with the Placenames Project of Northern Ireland which would increase awareness of Ulster-Scots heritage and language. [HL1182]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7 January 2003 (WA 171), on what projects or conferences the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has co-operated with the Placenames Project of Northern Ireland which would increase awareness of the Irish language. [HL1241]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Northern Ireland Place-Names Project Advisory Board/Steering Committee holds three meetings each year. Representatives from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) attended the meetings held on 4 April 2001, 24 September 2001, 27 March 2002 and, most recently, 14 October 2002.

In January 2002 the Celebrating Ulster's Townland's exhibition was on display in DCAL's reception. The exhibition was put together by the Northern Ireland Place-names Project.

The meetings and the exhibition have provided the opportunity to promote awareness of Irish and Ulster-Scots interests in relation to placenames and signage issues.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure was notified about the proposed appointments of four-and-a-half staff for the Ulster Scots Agency; and whether there has been any delay to these appointments. [HL1183]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

I refer the noble Lord to my previous Answers on 20 January 2003 (WA 81) and 11 December 2002 (WA 37).

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7 January (WA 171), on what projects or conferences the Department of Culture. Arts and Leisure has co-operated with the European Centre for Minority Issues which would increase awareness of Ulster-Scots heritage and language. [HL1240]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given to Question HL 1119 on 6 February 2003 (WA 43).

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 9 December (WA 2) and 20 January (WA 81), whether there are officials among the administrative staff of the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure with expertise in Irish language and in Ulster-Scots language and culture; and, if so, how many of each. [HL1242]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

I refer the noble Lord to my previous Answers on 6 November (WA 123), 9 December 2002 (WA 2) and 20 January 2003 (WA 81).