§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by whom, by what authority, and when the decision was taken to continue the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's bilingual policy following the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly in October 2002. [170053]
§ Angela SmithDuring devolution Northern Ireland Executive Ministers decided policy on the language to be used by each Department for letterheads and public advertisements, including the use of Irish and Ulster Scots. At an early stage during the current period of suspension, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, decided that the position within each Northern Ireland Department, including the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, should remain unchanged. This remains his current assessment.