Welsh Language (Hansard, 11 February 1993)

§ Mr. Llwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make it his policy to establish a permanent commission on the Welsh language;
(2) if he will make it his policy to develop a national Welsh language planning unit in Wales.

§ Sir Wyn Roberts
The Welsh Language Bill would establish a new, statutory Welsh language board. The board will have a very wide remit extending to all matters relating to the Welsh language.

§ Mr. Llwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to bring forward a comprehensive strategy for the maintenance and promotion of the Welsh language in Wales.

§ Sir Wyn Roberts
The Government have a comprehensive strategy for the maintenance and promotion of the Welsh language of which the Welsh Language Bill is but the latest part. S4C has been a great success and remains one of the most visible and important manifestations of the Government's commitment to the language. The central place of the language in our education policies is demonstrated by the status of Welsh as a foundation subject under the national curriculum and, most recently, by our proposal to establish Awdurdod Cwricwlwm ac Asesu Cymru. Many other Welsh organisations, both statutory and voluntary, also serve to promote the language through its use in their various activities.
This strategy can only be enhanced by our proposal to establish a statutory Welsh language board.

§ Mr. Llwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to issue guidelines to local authorities in Wales encouraging the establishment of Welsh language learning centres in each local authority area in Wales.

§ Sir Wyn Roberts
Local authorities are best placed to decide how to meet the needs of Welsh language learners in their areas. The Department has helped to fund the centres at Nant Gwrtheyrn and Canolfan Iaith Clwyd and also local authority Welsh for adults courses.