Written question asked by Ian Bruce (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 April 2001. It was answered by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 April 2001 on behalf of the Wales Office.

Office of the Secretary of State for Wales

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, What his policy and practice is on the use of the Welsh language for official purposes within his Department. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Mr. Ian Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his policy and practice is on the use of the Welsh language for official purposes within his Department. [155506] Mr. Paul Murphy: The Wales Office is committed to treating the Welsh and English languages on a basis of equality. Office publications, such as the Departmental Report and Service Delivery Agreement, are already made available in both languages. The office will always reply in Welsh to anyone who writes in Welsh and telephone calls in Welsh are always transferred to a Welsh speaker where available. If no Welsh speaker is available at the time of the call, the call can be returned later by a Welsh speaker. The Wales Office is committed to doing more to provide a fully bilingual service to the people of Wales, and to that end, the office plans to publish a draft Welsh Language Scheme for consultation during 2001.

Secondary information