HL Deb 20 January 2003 vol 643 c82WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the national museums and galleries of Northern Ireland have a linguistic diversity policy which treats Ulster Scots on an equal footing with Irish, as required in the Belfast Agreement of 1998; and, if not, why and when one will be available. [HL908]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The national museums and galleries of Northern Ireland have developed a draft linguistic diversity policy which treats Ullans on an equal footing with Irish. The policy continues to have draft status at present because the outgoing board of trustees did not have an opportunity to approve it before the end of its term of office. However, it is hoped that the new board will formally adopt the draft policy in time for it to be fully implemented by autumn 2003.