Hansard

The Convener: Lab

We continue to take evidence at stage 1 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill. We will take evidence first today from representatives of Highland Council. W...

Comhairliche Ailean Peutan (Comhairle na Gaidhealtachd):

Tha sinn a' toirt taing dhan chomataidh airson cuireadh a thoirt do Chomhairle na Gaidhealtachd agus airson cothrom fhaighinn air còmhradh air Bile Cànan na ...

Following is the simultaneous interpretation: 

I thank the committee for inviting us to appear here today and for giving us the opportunity to speak in Gaelic. We are grateful to Michael Russell for intro...

The Convener: Lab

Thank you. We move to questions from members.

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

In the summer, I had the privilege of addressing Allan Beaton's committee. Today, I will focus first on one simple issue. This set of stage 1 hearings is des...

Councillor Beaton:

Absolutely, definitely.

Michael Russell: SNP

Good. Let us look at the question of amendments. Do you have a view of the detailed amendments that should be lodged? What areas require amendment? As you kn...

Councillor Beaton:

Do you want to kick off, Andy?

Councillor Andrew Anderson (Highland Council):

The present Highland Council administration is about to come to an end. Our Gaelic development strategy has been developed into a Gaelic development policy, ...

Michael Russell: SNP

The bill would form part of that backing-up process.

Councillor Anderson:

It most certainly would. The Gaelic language must have legal status. Why on earth are we—and the Scottish Parliament—arguing about that when similar things a...

Michael Russell: SNP

How can the bill help you with general council policy?

Councillor Beaton:

As Andy Anderson said, the bill would give us the necessary backing for many things that we are already doing. For years, Highland Council has had a Gaelic s...

Michael Russell: SNP

Turning briefly to Bruce Robertson and Morag Anna MacLeod, I want to ask whether council officials feel that the bill contains anything that would be unduly ...

Bruce Robertson (Highland Council):

As both councillors have indicated, the bill would very much underpin current council policy. When the education policy was passed a couple of months ago, it...

Councillor Beaton:

Which is no mean achievement.

Bruce Robertson:

Indeed.

Michael Russell: SNP

That might be harder to achieve here.

Bruce Robertson:

I want to make a link with one of the Parliament's legislative achievements—the national education priorities. Committee members will be aware that Gaelic is...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): Lab

I congratulate Highland Council on its evident foresight in this area. I want first to ask about the bill's coverage. Much has been made of whether its provi...

Councillor Anderson:

In our written response, we say that we would like a robust, Scotland-wide bill. It is as simple as that.

Jackie Baillie: Lab

Is the bill a stepping stone towards achieving that end, or should it be amended to ensure that it applies Scotland-wide?

Councillor Anderson:

I do not care how you get there, as long as you get there. That is the important thing.

Councillor Beaton:

Absolutely.

Jackie Baillie: Lab

That answer was candid enough.The council has obviously carried out a lot of work in producing its language plan. The bill's financial memorandum suggests th...

Bruce Robertson:

It might be helpful if I gave the committee some current facts and figures. In gross terms, Highland Council is spending £1.65 million on this matter and has...

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): Con

In paragraph 9 of your written submission, you say that Highland Council believes that action should be taken"on issues in relation to Public Signage, i.e. r...

Councillor Beaton:

Yes. Trunk roads.

Mr Monteith: Con

Just trunk roads?

Councillor Beaton:

Yes. Highland Council's policy on bilingual road signage is that, when signs need to be replaced and the local community wants bilingual signs, they will be ...