Welsh Ministers have hailed today’s approval of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure as an historic step forward for the Welsh language.
The Measure meets the three One Wales commitments to confirm official status for Welsh, linguistic rights in the provision of services and establish the post of Language Commissioner.
Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, said:
“The Welsh language is a source of great pride for the people of Wales, whether they speak it or not, and I am delighted that the National Assembly has approved this Measure. I am very proud to have steered legislation through the Assembly which confirms the official status of the Welsh language; which creates a strong advocate for Welsh speakers and will improve the quality and quantity of services available through the medium of Welsh. Today is a truly historic day for the language.
“I have been lucky enough to live most of my life using Welsh. As a Government, we believe that everyone who wants to do the same should have that opportunity. This legislation is an important step along the path to realising that vision.
“The time it took to secure the transfer of powers over the Welsh language to the National assembly has not made this process easy. I am confident, however, that the changes made to the legislation during the Measure’s passage through the Assembly reflect the fact that we have listened carefully to people’s views during its scrutiny. This Measure will put the Welsh language on a firmer footing.”
First Minister, Carwyn Jones, said the Measure was an important and historic step in strengthening the Welsh language.
“It has been nearly two decades since any Government has introduced legislation solely focused on the Welsh language,” he said.
“Although legislation alone is not enough, this Measure provides us with some of the tools we need to ensure that the Welsh language can continue to prosper into the twenty-first century, alongside the English language.”
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones added:
“This Government cannot and will not be complacent about the future of the Welsh language. There will always be more to do in order to protect and promote this treasure which is so important to the people of our country.
“We are, however, immensely proud of what this Government has achieved in relation to the Welsh language. We have clearly demonstrated our commitment to the language by introducing our Welsh-medium Education Strategy, plans for a Welsh Medium College and, next week, we will publish our new Welsh language strategy. Together, these will support the efforts of the people of Wales to secure a stronger future for the language.
“I have been encouraged by the interest and passion generated throughout this legislative process and we will continue to listen to, and carefully consider, people’s views about the next stages of putting this Measure into practice.”
The Measure
- confirms the official status of the Welsh language
- creates a new system of placing duties on bodies to provide services through the medium of Welsh
- creates a Welsh Language Commissioner with strong enforcement powers to protect the rights of Welsh speakers to access services through the medium of Welsh
- establishes a Welsh Language Tribunal
- gives individuals and bodies the right to appeal decisions made in relation to the provision of services through the medium of Welsh
- creates a Welsh Language Partnership Council to advise Government on its strategy in relation to the Welsh language
- allows for an official investigation by the Welsh Language Commissioner of instances where there is an attempt to interfere with the freedom of Welsh speakers to use the language with one another.
