Aled Roberts, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Welsh Language has questioned the Welsh Government’s decision to award the tender for a survey on the use of Welsh by businesses in Wales to a London company, resulting in Welsh speakers being unable to participate in the survey without being rung at a later date by a researcher who could speak Welsh.
Commenting, Aled Roberts said:
“This is a ridiculous state of affairs where a survey into the use of Welsh by businesses was not available through the medium of Welsh from the outset.
“It lays bare any suggestion that the current Welsh Labour Government deals with both languages on an equal basis.
“One businesswoman received three calls in one week and each time asked to conduct the survey in Welsh but was told someone would have to ring her back.
“Eventually she received a call from a Welsh speaker, but this does nothing to give Welsh businesses confidence for the future.
“The fact that I have been contacted highlights major concerns with how this survey was planned and monitored by the department concerned.
“The Minister was obviously unaware of the situation until I raised it with her in the Siambr today and I look forward to receiving her explanation shortly. It is completely unacceptable that a Welsh Government-commissioned survey on the provision of business services in the Welsh language has not been made available bilingually.”
