HL Deb 21 May 2003 vol 648 c79WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the memorandum from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland to the Members of the Inter-department Charter Group of 2 June 2001 which referred to the use of minority languages applies to Ulster Scots as required in the Belfast agreement; and, if not, why. [HL2583]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn):

I am not aware of a memorandum dated 2 June 2001. I would however refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 9 January (Official Report, col. WA 233) which deals with an internal minute of 21 June 2001 addressing the obligations arising under Article 10 of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In Northern Ireland Article 10 currently applies only to Irish.