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McNamara, Kevin
Type
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McNamara, Kevin (15)
Answering member
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To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what his estimate is of the number of speakers of (a) each European lesser-used language and (b) other languages used in Northern Ireland. - Including tables.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what his estimate is of the number of speakers of (a) each European lesser-used language and (b) other languages used in Northern Ireland. - Including tables.
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Smith of Basildon
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 January 2004
For answer on
20 January 2004
Answered on
20 January 2004
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his estimate is of the number of speakers of (a) each European
lesser-used language and (b) other languages used in Northern Ireland. [149227]
Angela Smith: The following table provides details of speakers of lesser-used languages recognised under the Council of Europe's
Charter for Regional or Minority Languages:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Language Speakers Source and comments
Irish 106,844 Persons aged three and over (NI census,
2001). In total 167,490 persons have `some
knowledge' of Irish
Ulster-Scots 35,000 Approximate, based on 2 per cent. of
population. (NI Life and Times Survey,
1999)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
We have no information on the number of users of other European lesser-used languages. I estimate their numbers to be minimal.
The approximate numbers of speakers of other languages used in Northern Ireland are as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Language Speakers Source and comment
English 1,700,000+ All Irish and Ulster-Scots speakers are
bilingual. See "In other words", Daniel
Holder (2003) for information on knowledge
of English among speakers of other
languages
Chinese 4,200 Various dialects are spoken. NI census
(2001) recorded 4,200 people of Chinese
ethnic origin. Holder (2003) estimates
8,000
British Sign Language 3,000 British Deaf Association
Irish Sign Language 1,500 British Deaf Association
Cant/Shelta/Gammon 1,700 Oral languages of the Irish Traveller
Community Holder (2003), Kirk and O Baoill
(2002)
Arabic 1,000-1,500 Holder (2003), Modern Standard Arabic,
also including speakers of Western and
Eastern Arabic
Portuguese 1,000+ Holder (2003)
Tagalog 600 Holder (2003) (National Language of the
Philippines)
Bengali 450-500 Holder (2003)
Hindi or Punjabi 1,700 Holder (2003)
Southern Indian Languages 500 Holder (2003) includes Tamil, Kannada,
Kanta, Malay ala, Marati, Oriya and Telugu
Farsi 350 Holder (2003)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
There are also smaller numbers of other language speakers such as Albanian; Turkish; African Languages such as Swahili; Afghani;
Russian; Japanese; Hebrew; Korean; Vietnamese; Mallayo; Thai and speakers of other European Languages such as French and Spanish
(both from those countries and from other countries where those languages are spoken). In total there are over 70 minority ethnic
languages spoken in Northern Ireland (Holder, 2003).
Subjects
Languages; Northern Ireland; Minority groups
Date
20 January 2004
Reference
416 c1156-7W; 149227
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps are being taken to incorporate the issue of equality for Irish speakers in the guidelines of the Equality Commission; what the policy is of the Equality Commission on promoting (a) the use of the spoken Irish language in the...
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps are being taken to incorporate the issue of equality for Irish speakers in the guidelines of the Equality Commission; what the policy is of the Equality Commission on promoting (a) the use of the spoken Irish language in the...
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Spellar
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
29 May 2003
For answer on
3 July 2003
Answered on
3 July 2003
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what steps are being taken to incorporate the issue of equality
for Irish speakers in the guidelines of the Equality Commission; [116907]
(2) what the policy is of the Equality Commission on promoting (a) the use of the spoken Irish language in the workplace and (b) the
use of written Irish in public through (i) signage and (ii) other measures; [116905]
(3) what training has been given to (a) staff and (b) Commissioners at the Equality Commission on language rights, with particular
reference to the rights of Irish speakers. [116906]
Mr. Spellar: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland to write to the hon. Member on these
matters. Copies of the letters will be placed in the Library.
Subjects
Human rights; Languages; Irish language; Northern Ireland; Training; Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
Date
3 July 2003
Reference
408 c467W; 116907;116905;116906
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the status is of detainees held at Camp One, Umm Qasr; how many prisoners were detained at Camp One, Umm Qasr in each week since its opening; what the capacity is of the camp; and what steps are being taken to...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the status is of detainees held at Camp One, Umm Qasr; how many prisoners were detained at Camp One, Umm Qasr in each week since its opening; what the capacity is of the camp; and what steps are being taken to...
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Adam Ingram
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 April 2003
For answer on
28 April 2003
Answered on
28 April 2003
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the status is of detainees held at Camp One, Umm Qasr; [109057]
(2) how many prisoners were detained at Camp One, Umm Qasr in each week since its opening; what the capacity is of the camp; and
what steps are being taken to establish further prison camps; [109048]
(3) on how many occasions the military tribunal at Camp One, Umm Qasr has met; how many cases it has heard; what the breakdown is of
its adjudications; and how many detainees have been released; [109040]
(4) what arrangements have been made at Camp One, Umm Qasr to allow each detainee to exercise their freedom of religious belief and
practice; and how many civilian and military persons are engaged to minister to each faith represented among detainees; [109052]
(5) what statutory authority the tribunal system for detainees at Camp One, Umm Qasr has; by what means the panel adjudicators were
appointed; what the rules and procedures of the tribunal are; and if he will place a copy in the Library; [109055]
(6) what facilities have been made available for the welfare of detainees at Camp One, Umm Qasr; [109039]
(7) how many UK legal experts and advisors are serving among coalition forces in Iraq; and how many are attached to Camp One, Umm
Qasr; [109041]
(8) how many prisoners captured by Her Majesty's Armed Services in Iraq have been handed over to the custody of the United States or
other military authorities; [109043]
(9) how many requests he has received from the United States for named persons in Iraq to be handed over or otherwise transferred to
the custody of the United States in the event of their capture; [109044]
(10) what provision has been made at Camp One, Umm Qasr for the segregated accommodation of different political factions and
religious groups; [109036]
(11) what measures are taken at Camp One, Umm Qasr to give effect to the right of detainees to family life; and what arrangements
are in place for detainees to (a) be visited, (b) make telephone contact, (c) send and receive letters, (d) receive parcels and (e)
receive Red Crescent packages; [109054]
(12) what written materials are made available for detainees upon reception at Camp One, Umm Qasr; and in what languages these are
made available; [109038]
(13) which belligerent states recognise and have agreed to hand over prisoners into the military jurisdiction of Her Majesty's
Government at Camp One, Umm Qasr; [109050]
(14) how many civilian lawyers and human rights experts have been sent to Iraq with coalition forces; and how many are stationed at
Camp One, Umm Qasr; [109042]
(15) how many meals are served each day at Camp One, Umm Qasr; what steps have been taken to ensure the religious and dietary
requirements of detainees are met; and what the average daily calorific intake is of each prisoner; [109051]
(16) what steps he has taken to ensure that detainees at Camp One, Umm Qasr may exercise their right to select and be represented by
legal counsel before the military tribunal; [109035]
(17) how many service personnel are engaged in functions related to security, administration and maintenance of Camp One, Umm Qasr;
[109049]
(18) how many interrogation rooms are situated in the vicinity of Camp One, Umm Qasr; what the maximum number of hours each day a
detainee may be interrogated is; what the guidelines and rules governing interrogation procedures are; and if he will place a copy
in the Library; [109053]
(19) what steps he is taking to establish an independent tribunal under a recognised legal authority to determine the status of
detainees in Iraq; [109058]
(20) what language groups are represented among detainees at Camp One, Umm Qasr; what proportion of detainees speaks each language;
and how many translators are available for each language. [109037]
Mr. Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Subjects
Administration of justice; Detainees; Catering; Communication; Families; Human rights; Legal aid scheme; Iraq; Food; Languages; Facilities; Prisoners; Military law; Religious freedom; Iraq conflict; Prison accommodation
Date
28 April 2003
Reference
404 c152-3W; 109057;109048;109040;109052;109055;109039;109041;109043;109044;109036;109054;109038;109050;109042;109051;109035;109049;109053;109058;109037
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) national origin and (b) first language is of each (i) convicted and (ii) remand prisoner held in the special secure unit at HMP Belmarsh; what translation facilities are available for prisoners for (A) routine prison administrative and...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) national origin and (b) first language is of each (i) convicted and (ii) remand prisoner held in the special secure unit at HMP Belmarsh; what translation facilities are available for prisoners for (A) routine prison administrative and...
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Hughes of Stretford
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
23 April 2002
For answer on
14 May 2002
Answered on
14 May 2002
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) national origin and (b) first language is of each
(i) convicted and (ii) remand prisoner held in the special secure unit at HMP Belmarsh; what translation facilities are available
for prisoners for (A) routine prison administrative and matters connected with good order in the prison, (B) medical examinations,
(C) legal visits and (D) family visits; and how many non-English language books (1) are held by HMP Belmarsh and (2) have been
borrowed in the past six months by prisoners held in the special secure unit. [52463]
Beverley Hughes: The facility at Belmarsh prison is designated as a high secure unit. The number of prisoners currently held in the
high secure unit is 34. The national origin of those convicted is Colombian (one); United Kingdom (seven). The national origin of
those unconvicted is Algerian (two); Belgium (one): Spanish (one); Egyptian (two); Irish (six); Jamaican (one); Turkish (two);
United Kingdom (10). One person has declined to declare a national origin.
All prisoners in the high secure unit are able to speak English. Translation facilities are currently available in Arabic, Spanish
and Turkish to enable prisoners to communicate via the telephone or, where security issues arise, during visits. Belmarsh has
continuous translation facilities for attendance at the prison to carry out simultaneous translation of visits and telephone calls.
These facilities are also available where there is a need for staff to communicate with a prisoner on a medical or induction
interview.
Belmarsh also has the use of telephone translation facilities. Where circumstances arise, Belmarsh would also use other prisoners
speaking the same language to assist in translation, or use staff who are able to speak foreign languages. There is also a contract
translation service for use with mail and other written material. No translation service is provided for legal visits, on the
grounds that the visiting legal representative would make such arrangements. Induction packs for newly arrived prisoners are
available in a limited number of foreign languages.
Belmarsh has approximately 700 non-English books in the library. Records are not kept to show the number of such books that have
been borrowed by prisoners held in the high secure unit. All prisoners have access to the library and may borrow books.
Subjects
Languages; Medical examinations; Prisoners; Prisons; Publications; Nationality; HMP Belmarsh; Translation services; Visits
Date
14 May 2002
Reference
52463; 385 c599-600W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many certificates he has issued using his powers under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; if he will profile those persons detained by (a) country of origin, (b) nationality, (c) gender, (d) those over and under 18 years...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many certificates he has issued using his powers under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; if he will profile those persons detained by (a) country of origin, (b) nationality, (c) gender, (d) those over and under 18 years...
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Blunkett
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 January 2002
For answer on
29 January 2002
Answered on
29 January 2002
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many certificates he has issued using his powers under the
Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; if he will profile those persons detained by (a) country of origin, (b) nationality,
(c) gender, (d) those over and under 18 years of age, (e) religious belief and (f) language spoken; and at what location detained
persons have been held. [29253]
Mr. Blunkett: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 16 January 2002 to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr.
Mullin), Official Report,
column 350W.
Appeals are proceeding in relation to each of those detained before the Special Immigration Appeal Commission. A directions hearing
was held on 28 January and a substantive hearing will be set in due course.
Legislation
Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001
Subjects
Detainees; Arrests; Age; Gender; Languages; National security; Location; Nationality; Terrorism; Religion
Date
29 January 2002
Reference
29253; 379 c287-8W;379 c285-6W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 12th December 2001, Official Report, 376 c922W, how many immigration service staff speak (a) Arabic, (b) Hindi, (c) Urdu, (d) Farsi or Dari and (e) Pashto; how many persons of what grades are trained to...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 12th December 2001, Official Report, 376 c922W, how many immigration service staff speak (a) Arabic, (b) Hindi, (c) Urdu, (d) Farsi or Dari and (e) Pashto; how many persons of what grades are trained to...
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Angela Eagle
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
21 January 2002
For answer on
29 January 2002
Answered on
29 January 2002
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 12 December 2001, Official Report,
column 922W, how many Immigration Service staff speak (a) Arabic, (b) Hindi, (c) Urdu, (d) Farsi or Dari and (e) Pushtu; how many
persons of what grades are trained to speak each language; and how many translators have been employed for how many paid hours in
each language; and at what cost. [29821]
Angela Eagle: Since September 2001 the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) has held a national database of all its
interpreters. The database currently holds 473 Arabic speakers, 359 Hindi, 429 Urdu, 261 Farsi, 84 Dari and 64 Pushtu. No records
are currently held centrally as to the amount of hours interpreters have worked in individual languages.
Details of the languages spoken by immigration staff are not currently held centrally and could be collected only at
disproportionate cost. However, the Immigration Service is creating a database of training received and qualifications held by
immigration service staff. The majority of interpreting and translation services for those in the care of the Immigration Service
are largely provided by external translators.
Subjects
Costs; Languages; Staff; Immigration and Nationality Directorate; Translation services; Interpreters
Date
29 January 2002
Reference
29821; 379 c298W;379 c296W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made in negotiating and translating the final text for the Declaration and Programme of Action agreed at the UN World Conference Against Racism held in Durban from 31st August to 8th December 2001; what preparations...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made in negotiating and translating the final text for the Declaration and Programme of Action agreed at the UN World Conference Against Racism held in Durban from 31st August to 8th December 2001; what preparations...
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Hain
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 January 2002
For answer on
23 January 2002
Answered on
23 January 2002
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in negotiating and
translating the final text for the Declaration and Programme of Action agreed at the UN World Conference Against Racism held in
Durban from 31 August to 8 December 2001; what preparations he has made to publish and distribute English and other language
versions of the final text in the UK; what preparations he has made to consult NGOs and minority ethnic organisations on the
construction of a national plan of action based on these texts as required by the Durban agreement; and what his time scale is for
consultation with (a) devolved Administrations and (b) dependent territories. [29246]
Peter Hain: The agreed Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) were published by the
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on 2 January. English, French and Spanish versions are currently available on the
website of the OHCHR www.ohchr.ch. The UN General Assembly Third Committee will reconvene in February to adopt the documents
formally. Home Office officials will hold a preliminary consultation with NGOs and others involved in the preparations for WCAR on 4
February to discuss, inter alia, publication and further translation of the documents in the UK and the construction of a national
plan of action. The devolved Administrations, who were also consulted before Durban, have been invited to the 4 February meeting.
The Home Office will send copies of the documents to the dependent territories for consultation once they have been formally adopted
by the UN.
Subjects
Devolution; Distribution; Languages; Ethnic groups; Publications; Minority groups; Racial discrimination; United Nations; UN resolutions; Non-governmental organisations; Conferences; Translation services
Date
23 January 2002
Reference
29246; 378 c886-7W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prison officers speak (a) Arabic, (b) Hindi, (c) Urdu, (d) Farsi or Dari and (e) Pashto as a first language; how many officers, and at what grades, are trained to speak each language; and how many translators are...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prison officers speak (a) Arabic, (b) Hindi, (c) Urdu, (d) Farsi or Dari and (e) Pashto as a first language; how many officers, and at what grades, are trained to speak each language; and how many translators are...
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Hughes of Stretford
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 December 2001
For answer on
12 December 2001
Answered on
12 December 2001
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers speak (a) Arabic, (b) Hindi, (c) Urdu,
(d) Farsi or Dari and (e) Pashto as a first language; how many officers, and at what grades, are trained to speak each language; and
how many translators are available for work in detention camps in each region of England and Wales. [21308]
Beverley Hughes: Information on the languages spoken by prison officers is not held centrally and could be collected only at
disproportionate cost. Translation arrangements in Immigration Detention Centres are provided primarily by external translators and
on occasion by Immigration Service staff.
Subjects
Languages; Prisons; Staff; Detention centres; Translation services; Interpreters
Date
12 December 2001
Reference
21308; 376 c922W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the implications for the conduct of policing resulting from the ratification of the European Convention on Minority Languages; what instructions have been issued to Consensia concerning language issues in police recruitment; and what questions are...
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the implications for the conduct of policing resulting from the ratification of the European Convention on Minority Languages; what instructions have been issued to Consensia concerning language issues in police recruitment; and what questions are...
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Adam Ingram
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
6 March 2001
For answer on
23 March 2001
Answered on
23 March 2001
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the implications for the conduct of
policing resulting from the ratification of the European Convention on Minority Languages; what instructions have been issued to
Consensia concerning language issues in police recruitment; and what questions are addressed to potential applicants concerning
their proficiency in the Irish language. [152868]
Mr. Ingram: The NIO and devolved Administration have agreed which elements of the European Charter for Regional or Minority
Languages are for them to take forward.
Ratification was expected in the week commencing 12 March 2001 and the Northern Ireland Office is in the process of assessing the
impact of ratification on those areas for which it is responsible in readiness for implementation during mid 2001.
The police already have available information on the rights of those in custody in various languages, including the Irish language,
and make available interpreters as necessary.
No instructions have been issued to Consensia by the Secretary of State.
No questions are addressed to applicants on their proficiency in the Irish language.
Subjects
Languages; Northern Ireland; Police; Minority groups; European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Date
23 March 2001
Reference
152868; 365 c415-6W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the Government will ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Regional and Minority Languages.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the Government will ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Regional and Minority Languages.
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Keith Vaz
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
24 November 2000
For answer on
29 November 2000
Answered on
29 November 2000
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government will ratify the Council of
Europe Convention on Regional and Minority Languages. [140798]
Mr. Vaz: Following signature of the Charter on 2 March 2000, parliamentary procedures are now complete and the UK is working to
ratify the Charter as soon as possible. It is hoped that ratification will take place in the next few months.
Subjects
Languages; EU action; Minority groups; Council of Europe; European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Date
29 November 2000
Reference
357 c623W;357 c622W; 140798
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the Irish-medium (a) primary and (b) secondary schools and state the number of pupils enrolled in each at the start of the current school year. - Includes table.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the Irish-medium (a) primary and (b) secondary schools and state the number of pupils enrolled in each at the start of the current school year. - Includes table.
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord McFall of Alcluith
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
31 March 1999
For answer on
16 April 1999
Answered on
16 April 1999
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the Irish-medium (a) primary and (b) secondary
schools and state the number of pupils enrolled in each at the start of the current school year. [80611]
Mr. McFall: The information requested is as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Primary Pupils
Bunscoil Phobal Feirste 332
Bunscoil Na Fuiseoige 77
Bunscoil Na Bhfal 187
Bunscoil Cholmiclle 218
Bunscoil An Tsleibhe Dhuibh 118
Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagain 82
Bunscoil An Iuir 60
Bunscoil Larigh 31
Bunscoil Ui Neill 35
Bunscoil An Droichead 31
Bunscoil Dhal Riada 18
Secondary
Meanscoil Feirste 268
Meanscoil 65
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Subjects
Languages; Irish language; Northern Ireland; Primary education; Schools; Secondary education
Date
16 April 1999
Reference
80611; 329 c362-3W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many school pupils were being taught in the Irish language medium in each year since 1985.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many school pupils were being taught in the Irish language medium in each year since 1985.
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord McFall of Alcluith
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
31 March 1999
For answer on
16 April 1999
Answered on
16 April 1999
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many school pupils were being taught in the Irish language
medium in each year since 1985. [80612]
Mr. McFall: Information on the number of pupils taught in Irish Medium schools is as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Year Pupils
1985-86 198
1986-87 253
1987-88 304
1988-89 339
1989-90 370
1990-91 378
1991-92 400
1992-93 527
1993-94 771
1994-95 847
1995-96 1,038
1996-97 1,167
1997-98 1,375
1998-99 1,522
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Figures on pupils in Irish medium units in English medium schools are not available.
Subjects
Languages; Irish language; Northern Ireland; Primary education; Schools; Secondary education
Date
16 April 1999
Reference
80612; 329 c363W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the recognised and minority languages of the EU in order of their estimated number of speakers. - Inc figs and table.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the recognised and minority languages of the EU in order of their estimated number of speakers. - Inc figs and table.
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 January 1999
For answer on
2 February 1999
Answered on
2 February 1999
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the recognised and minority
languages of the EU in order of their estimated number of speakers. [67432]
Ms Quin: There is no system for formally recognising languages within the EU, beyond the 12 languages used for official business. A
report prepared for the European Commission identified over 30 minority languages spoken within the EU. These are:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Language group Cluster/rank Size Economic In-migration Core-periphery Heartland
diversity
German--New Belgium A/1 68,000 High Low Core No
Luxembourgish A/2 350,000 High High Core Yes
Catalan A/2 4,065,000 High High Core Yes
German (It) A/4 290,000 Medium Low Semi No
Galician B/5 2,420,000 Medium Low Periphery Yes
German (Fr) B/6 1,800,000 High Medium Core No
Catalan (Valencia) B/6 1,909,000 High High Semi No
Basque (BAC) B/6 544,000 High High Semi Yes
Ladin B/6 56,000 Low Low Periphery Yes
Occitan (Sp) B/10 3,700 Low Low Periphery No
Welsh B/10 508,000 High High Semi Yes
Catalan (Is Balearic) B/12 428,000 Medium High Semi No
Irish C/13 1,095,000 High Low Periphery Yes
Gaelic C/13 59,000 Low Low Periphery Yes
Frisian C/13 400,000 High High Semi Yes
Slovenian C/13 85,000 Medium High Semi No
Frilulan C/13 400,000 Medium Medium Semi Yes
Sorbian C/18 50,000 Low High Periphery Yes
Danish (Ger) C/18 25,000 Low Low Semi No
French (It) C18 50,000 Medium High Semi No
Basque (Navare) C/18 53,000 Medium Low Semi No
German (Denmark) C/22 15-20,000 Low Low Semi No
Catalan (Aragon) C/24 48,000 Low Low Periphery No
Catalan (Fr) C/24 150,000 Medium High Semi No
Turkish C/24 {1}100,000 Low Low Periphery No
Basque (Fr) D/26 86,000 Medium High Semi No
Corsican D/26 125,000 Medium High Periphery Yes
Catalan (It) D/28 15,000 Medium High Periphery No
Occitan (It) D/28 35-80,000 Low Low Periphery No
German (Old Belg.) D/30 42,000 Medium Low Semi No
Occitan D/30 2,100,000 High Medium Semi Yes
Breton D/30 180-250,000 Medium Low Semi Yes
Albanian (It) D/30 80-135,000 Low Low Periphery No
Mirandes E/34 15,000 Low Low Periphery No
N. Frisian E/35 9,000 Medium Medium Semi No
Croatian (It) E/35 1,700 Medium Medium Semi No
Irish (UK) E/37 142,000 Medium Low Periphery No
Berber E/38 25,000 Medium Low Periphery No
Slavo-Macedonian E/38 {1}75,000 Low Low Periphery No
Dutch (Fr) E/38 20-40,000 Medium Low Core No
Bulgarian E/38 {1}30,000 Low Low Periphery No
E. Frisian E/42 2,000 Medium Low Semi No
Sardinian E/42 1,300,000 Medium Medium Periphery Yes
Portuguese (Sp) E/44 3,600 Low Low Periphery No
Albanian (Gr) E/44 {1}80,000 Low Low Periphery No
Aroumanian E/44 {1}50,000 Low Low Periphery No
Cornish E/47 1,000 Medium High Semi Yes
Greek (It) E/47 7,500 Low Low Periphery No
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
{1} ca
Subjects
EU countries; Languages; Ethnic groups; EU nationals; Minority groups
Date
2 February 1999
Reference
67432; 324 c596-8W;324 c653W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many and what percentage of EU citizens speak English as their first language; and how many and what percentage of EU citizens have been taught or have an elementary command of the English language. - Inc figs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many and what percentage of EU citizens speak English as their first language; and how many and what percentage of EU citizens have been taught or have an elementary command of the English language. - Inc figs.
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 January 1999
For answer on
2 February 1999
Answered on
2 February 1999
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what percentage of EU citizens speak
English as their first language; and how many and what percentage of EU citizens have been taught or have an elementary command of
the English language. [67431]
Ms Quin: According to the Eurobarometer survey, in November 1995 approximately 16-17 per cent. of EU citizens regarded English as
their mother tongue. The same survey also shows that one EU citizen in three (of those who do not class English as their mother
tongue) regarded themselves as able to hold a conversation in English. EUROSTAT's 1997 figures on foreign language teaching in the
EU show that 26 per cent. of pupils in primary education and 90 per cent. of pupils in secondary school were taught English.
Subjects
Languages; EU nationals; English language; Public opinion; Primary education; Secondary education; Eurostat
Date
2 February 1999
Reference
67431; 324 c595-6W;324 c651-3W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the concluding observations pertaining to Northern Ireland made by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child following examination of the United Kingdom periodic report in January 1995; and if she will list the progress...
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the concluding observations pertaining to Northern Ireland made by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child following examination of the United Kingdom periodic report in January 1995; and if she will list the progress...
Asked by
Kevin McNamara
(Labour)
Answered by
Tony Worthington
(Labour)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
24 October 1997
For answer on
7 November 1997
Answered on
7 November 1997
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the concluding observations pertaining to Northern
Ireland made by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child following examination of the United Kingdom periodic report
in January 1995; and if she will list the progress made in addressing each of the committee's concerns. [13068]
Mr. Worthington: [holding answer 6 November 1997]:
The concluding observations made in respect of Northern Ireland relate to a range of issues: the impact on children of emergency
legislation; juvenile justice; children in training schools; race relations legislation; and integrated and Irish medium education.
I shall deal with each in turn.
Emergency legislation
The Committee expressed concern about the lack of information on the difficulties experienced by children living in Northern Ireland
and the effect on children of the operation of emergency legislation.
The legislation to enable the security forces and the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland to deal effectively with terrorism
seeks to combine operational utility and public acceptability by providing measures which are appropriate and proportionate to the
threat of terrorism, while at the same time protecting the rights of individuals. While there has been no official assessment of the
particular impact on children of the emergency legislation in Northern Ireland, special safeguards have been introduced into the
statutory codes of practice governing the detention, treatment and questioning of people under the terrorism provisions. These
ensure that in the rare event of the police having to interview anyone who appears to be under 17, the well-being and rights of the
interviewee are given the highest priority. Among the special safeguards is a requirement that they must be accompanied by an
appropriate adult.
The emergency legislation permits a constable or member of the security forces to stop and search any person in specific
circumstances laid down in legislation. If it is necessary to search a child under 14 this is normally done by a female police
officer or a female soldier. For a juvenile older than this, the search is carried out by a police officer or soldier of the same
sex. Any allegation of unprofessional behaviour by a member of the security forces is treated very seriously. Procedures exist for
dealing with such complaints and are widely publicised, although allegations of harassment against children have been very rare.
The emergency legislation is independently reviewed and renewed annually following debates in Parliament. The Government has
recently launched a major review of counter-terrorism legislation in the United Kingdom. The aim is to end the present temporary
arrangements and produce permanent legislation which will deal with all kinds of terrorism, including international terrorism.
Juvenile justice
The Committee concerned that the Training School ethos appeared to lay emphasis on imprisonment and punishment. A proposal for a
draft Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order was published in February this year. The draft legislation has been
prepared as part of a developing juvenile justice strategy. An important part of that strategy is to reduce the number of young
people in custody. Custody will be restricted to those who have committed a serious offence or who pose a serious danger to the
public. In all criminal proceedings the court will be required to have regard to the welfare of the child before ordering any
disposal. At present the only custodial disposal available to the courts for all but the most serious offences is the training
school order, which authorises detention for an indeterminate period of up to two years--the indeterminate nature of the sentence
was another of the Committee's concerns. The proposed legislation will abolish the training school order and replace it with a new
juvenile justice centre order. This would be for a determinate period between six months and two years, only half of which would be
spent in custody, with the lower end of the range being the norm. It is intended that while in custody children will be given
education and training to help them adapt to a return to the community and to reduce the risk of re-offending. They will be
supported in this by a period of supervision.
Children in care
The Committee was also concerned that children in care could be held in training schools. Following the commencement of the Children
(Northern Ireland) Order in November 1996 it is no longer possible for a child in Northern Ireland to be placed in a training school
on care grounds.
Race relations
The Committee recommended that race relations legislation be introduced in Northern Ireland. The Race Relations (Northern Ireland)
Order 1997 came fully into operation on 4 August 1997. The legislation replicates the GB Act and makes discrimination on racial
grounds unlawful in employment, training, education, the provision of goods, facilities and services, and the disposal and
management of premises. The Irish Traveller community is defined as a racial group for the purposes of the Order. A Commission for
Racial Equality for Northern Ireland has been established to help enforce the legislation and to promote equality of opportunity and
good relations between people of different racial groups.
Education
The Committee advocated further support for teaching the Irish language in schools and for integrated education.
In order to meet the statutory requirements of the Language Studies area of the study of Northern Ireland Curriculum, pupils must
study one of the following: French, German, Italian, Spanish or Irish. It is for schools to make provision in response to demand
from pupils.
A growing number of parents in Northern Ireland are choosing to have their children educated through the Irish language.
Irish-medium schools may achieve grant-aided status under the same procedures as other school sectors. Since 1995 four primary
schools and one secondary school have been given grant-aided status. There are now eight grant-aided Irish-medium schools with a
combined enrolment of over 1,100 pupils, 95 per cent. of all pupils in Irish-medium schools are attending grant-aided schools.
The Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order places a statutory duty on the Department of Education to encourage and facilitate the
development of integrated education, which it defines as "the education together at school of Protestant and Roman Catholic pupils".
Under this legislation new integrated schools qualify for Government grants immediately provided they meet a number of criteria
including minimum viability levels. In addition procedures are in place for transforming existing schools to integrated status;
these may be initiated directly by parents.
When the Order became law in 1990 there were only seven grant-aided integrated schools; five primary and two secondary. Today there
are 33, of which 11 are secondary schools. Their combined enrolment is just over 7,000 pupils, which represents around two per cent.
of total pupil numbers. The rate of growth in the sector will be determined by parental demand; there will be no question of
Government imposing integration.
The Department of Education will issue guidelines on transformation to integrated status to all schools later this year. These
should provide a further stimulus to the growth of the sector.
Legislation
Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997; Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995; Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997; Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989
Subjects
Children; Criminal proceedings; Children in care; Curriculum; Children's rights; Education; Emergency powers; Languages; Northern Ireland; Racial discrimination; Training; Young offenders; UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; Northern Ireland Commission for Racial Equality; Integrated schools
Date
7 November 1997
Reference
13068; 300 c358-60W
House
House of Commons