Welsh Conservatives will later today welcome the latest milestone in the protracted process to give Welsh and English official status in Wales and create the office of a Language Commissioner.
The Party will call for both Welsh and English to be clearly defined as having official status in Wales in the Welsh Language Measure’s first legislative hurdle.
The Proposed Welsh Language Measure will face a debate on its general principles in the Assembly to determine whether it can proceed for detailed scrutiny.
Shadow Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Paul Davies AM, will also seek a commitment that the new Language Commissioner will be independent and appointed by the National Assembly rather than by Ministers.
The commitment was a key pillar of the Party’s 2007 election manifesto and was originally launched through an LCO by Welsh Conservative AM David Melding after a win in the ballot for backbench AMs’ legislative bids in 2008.
Paul Davies said, “I am delighted that after many delays we finally have the chance to debate the detail of the proposals of the Welsh Language Measure.
“Welsh Conservatives have long argued for Welsh and English to have official status in Wales, confirming in law for the first time our position as a truly bilingual nation.
“It is important that this Measure is drawn up with a commitment to equality between the English and Welsh languages.
“We will be seeking clearer assurances from the Minister that the precise definition of official status will protect the rights of both English and Welsh speakers and end fears of discrimination.
“Unlike most minority languages in Europe, the number of people speaking Welsh is rising and we need to do all we can to nurture this revival.
“Welsh Conservatives believe the best way to help sustain the Welsh language is through education, encouragement and improved access to the language rather than compulsion and heavy-handed enforcement, which could overturn years of steady progress.
“The Language Commissioner will play an important role, however it must be truly independent and at arm’s length from the Assembly Government.
“Such independence and impartiality could be called into doubt if the Commissioner were to be appointed directly by Ministers rather than by the Assembly as a whole.
“The Welsh language is part of the social fabric which defines Wales as a nation and is too important to be mired in party politics.”
