§ 17. Mr. Gwynfor Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the progress which is being made towards the use of the fourth television channel in Wales as a mainly Welsh-language channel.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Dr. Shirley Summerskill)Discussions with the broadcasting authorities are continuing. We hope to make a statement in the near future.
§ Mr. EvansIs the Minister aware of the desperate crisis of the Welsh language, a language which is the vehicle of a very rich and ancient culture, whose literature goes back to the sixth century? Does she agree that because of that crisis we need, within months, more children's programmes in Welsh on television and, before the end of 1980 at any rate, 25 to 26 hours a week of Welsh language programmes on the fourth channel in Wales?
§ Dr. SummerskillI am aware of the concern of many hon. Members about this matter. I assure them that it is the Government's intention that the Welsh language service should come into operation in the autumn of 1982. We shall be making a statement soon. As regards children's programmes, the BBC is planning for additional programmes to be provided next autumn. I understand that Harlech Television has also announced its intention to increase the amount of children's programmes in the Welsh language at the same time.
Mr. HeiferWill my hon. Friend have discussions with the broadcasting authorities to try to have Welsh language lessons which can also be broadcast to the rest of the United Kingdom, so that some of us on Merseyside, for example, 16 who can receive the Welsh language programmes can actually understand them? I can, but not everybody can. It would be a good thing if people in the rest of the British Isles could understand the Welsh language programmes, so that we could be involved in what I agree is a very old language. It is part of our British tradition and something that we should cherish.
§ Dr. SummerskillAs one who is half Welsh, I respond very warmly to what my hon. Friend suggests. But I invite him to ask the BBC and the IBA whether they would agree to put on more Welsh programmes. We do not interfere with the content of broadcasting.
§ Mr. Ronald AtkinsBearing in mind what the Government have said and the efforts that they have made, does my hon. Friend agree that the vitality of a language and culture depends on its inherent strength, and that, despite the fact that so much help has been given to the Welsh language over the years, it continues to decline because it lacks that vitality?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe fact that the Welsh language is lacking in vitality is not a Government responsibility. I agree that it is a vital language, and the Government will do all that they can to see that those who wish to learn it and to listen to it are able to do so.