SAFEGUARDING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Early day motion 1310, tabled 3 June 2003 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 19 members.

That this House recognises that the English language has evolved over the years and that as a living language it will continue to do so; regrets, however, the unwelcome intrusion of spelling emanating from the United States of America which causes confusion because of the difference in how some words are spelt on either side of the North Atlantic, with the result that the public in general and school pupils in particular are on occasions uncertain as to which is the correct spelling for use in the United Kingdom; believes that the main cause of the confusion is the American version speller checks installed on word processors, computers and other electronic devices; and calls on the Government to make it a requirement for the manufacturers, distributors and retailers of such equipment in the UK that speller checks are modified to give the correct spelling of words applicable to those residing and working in this country.

Signatures by party: Labour 9, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 2.