§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Postmaster-General what, in accordance with the spirit of the Welsh Language Bill, his Department is doing to meet the needs of its Welsh-speaking customers.
§ Mr. Edward ShortIt is already the policy of my Department to cater for the use of the Welsh language in the course of business wherever this is feasible.
In districts where Welsh is widely spoken, Welsh speakers are appointed as Head Postmasters and Postmasters; instructions in telephone kiosks are printed in Welsh and English; Welsh and English signs are used on new and reconstructed Crown buildings where it is the general practice to use Welsh signs and the local authority so wishes. More generally, sub postmasters are allowed to put up the "Post Office" sign in Welsh as well as English, provided the place names themselves, if shown, are in the form recognised by the local authorities. Letters addressed to recognised Welsh place names are dealt with efficiently and telegrams so addressed are accepted. At Christmas time "Post Early for Christmas" advertisements are published in Welsh in Welsh language newspapers and 55W broadcasts in Welsh about the need for early posting are normally arranged. Letters from customers in Welsh are answered in Welsh and the services of a Welsh speaking telephonist are made available on request at no extra charge even if this means connection with a distant exchange. As far as possible, business at Post Office counters is transacted in Welsh if the customer wishes. Finally, regulations concerning the rights of free postage conferred upon candidates for Parliamentary Elections are printed in Welsh and English.