Welsh Language

Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 February 1972.

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Photo of Mr Robert Ellis Mr Robert Ellis , Wrexham 12:00, 24 February 1972

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will send to all chief constables in Wales a copy of the preamble to the Welsh Language Act, 1967; and a copy of Section 5, subsection (3), of that Act.

Photo of Mr Richard Sharples Mr Richard Sharples , Sutton and Cheam

They received copies of the Act when it was published.

Photo of Mr Robert Ellis Mr Robert Ellis , Wrexham

Is the Home Secretary aware that it seems to be the practice of the Dyfed Powys police authority to insist on all its prosecutions being carried out in English, even when defendants and local courts want proceedings to be entirely in Welsh without use of interpreters? Is he further aware that statements such as that made by the Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys about English being the language of the courts, and what seems to be the pathological condition of Mr. Alun Roberts Thomas, senior prosecuting solicitor of the Dyfed Powys police autho- rity about the language, are certainly contrary to the spirit, and possibly the letter, of the Welsh Language Act? Will the Minister take steps to ensure that the law in respect of the use of the Welsh language in the courts of Wales is complied with?

Photo of Mr Richard Sharples Mr Richard Sharples , Sutton and Cheam

I will look carefully into the particular case which the hon. Gentleman has raised.