HC Deb 02 June 1980 vol 985 cc1024-6
7. Mr. Garel-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received in connection with his policy on the future of the Welsh language.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

We have received 10 specific representations. In addition, I have heard much favourable comment on my right hon. Friend's statement on policy for the Welsh language in his speech at Llanrwst on 15 April.

Mr. Garel-Jones

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he confirm that Government expenditure on the Welsh language next year will be about three times that spent last year? Does he agree that that is a remarkable achievement in view of the financial constraints, underlining the Government's commitment to the Welsh language?

Mr. Roberts

My hon. Friend is right, it does indeed underline the Government's commitment to the Welsh language. The resources being devoted to the language are to be trebled. The £1. million that will be spent next year does not include expenditure on such items as the £245,000 to be spent on bilingual road signs.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

Does the Minister accept that one speech does not amount to a policy? Does he accept that neither his Government nor the Labour Government have had a coherent policy towards the development and increase in use of the Welsh language in administration and public life in Wales? Does the Minister accept that it was a mistake for his Government to withdraw the services of the Council for the Welsh Language and to replace it with nothing?

Mr. Roberts

I disagree strongly with the hon. Gentleman. Everybody in Wales will agree that my right hon. Friend's speech was a clear statement of policy. It has been much appreciated in Wales on that account. My right hon. Friend spoke about the Council for the Welsh Language. We do not want to set up another expensive quango. A unit in the Welsh Office is capable of dealing efficiently with the anticipated expenditure. We certainly do not lack advice from Wales on the way in which the money should be spent.

Mr. Barry Jones

Are not the problems of the language developing so rapidly that the Minister will have to be even more generous? Does he accept that the blitz that the Government have mounted against council house building, particularly in North-West Wales, militates against the development of the Welsh language?

Mr. Roberts

That is a separate question. We have taken precautions in the Housing Bill to ensure that the viability of rural communities is protected within our policy of selling council houses. The building, improvement and rehabilitation of council houses and spending of housing allocations is a matter for the local authorities.

Mr. Hooson

Does my hon. Friend agree that successive Governments can take pride in the positive steps that they have taken to aid the Welsh language? Does he agree that a considerable onus is placed upon parents and others to take advantage of the Government's generous assistance?

Mr. Roberts

I agree. It is fair to say that my right hon. Friend's speech and statement of policy give every possible encouragement to voluntary bodies which are dedicating themselves to the promotion of the Welsh language as a living tongue.

Mr. Ioan Evans

What representations have the Government had about the abandonment of their election commitment that the fourth channel should be allocated to the Welsh language, since that was universally approved by the Welsh people? Will the Minister make a statement about the future?

Mr. Roberts

I cannot say precisely how many representations we have received, but there have been remarkably few. We believe that the Government's plans for transmitting Welsh language programmes on BBC and ITV, as opposed to a single channel, offers a safer and more secure future for Welsh language programming on television.