HL Deb 24 June 2003 vol 650 c8WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Who funded a video produced by the Belfast Education and Library Board entitled "Making Rhyming Round Belfast"; what Ulster Scots input is included; whether such input was encouraged; and, if so, how. [HL3316]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

In answering this Question I am assuming that the noble Lord is referring to a digital video disc (DVD) entitled "Rhyming Round Belfast". The DVD was funded by the Belfast Education and Library Board and was produced by them in collaboration with the New Belfast Community Arts Initiative as part of "Young at Art—the festival of dreams" for children and young people. Children from 53 schools from the primary, secondary, controlled, maintained and voluntary sectors participated, with children composing and performing poems on the themes of dreams and diversity.

There was no Ulster Scots input in the DVD. Participation in the project and the language of expression were at the discretion of the schools and the children, and there was no steer either towards or away from the use of Ulster Scots.