Welsh Language Board publishes a Position Statement on the Legislative position of the Welsh Language 

Today, January 19th 2006, the members of the Welsh Language Board have published a position statement on the legislative situation of the Welsh Language (see 'publications' on the right hand side of this screen). The paper was prepared as part of the Board's statutory functions and a copy has been presented to Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister for the Welsh Assembly Government, and to the Right Honourable Tony Blair, Prime Minister.

Speaking on behalf of the Board members, the Chair, Meri Huws, said, "The proposed incorporation of the Board's functions into the Welsh Assembly Government will herald a significant change in the legislative arrangements that support the Welsh language. This, jointly with the proposed changes in the Government of Wales Bill extends a natural opportunity for us to consider the form and content of the legislation that supports Welsh.

As members we have given careful consideration to these issues, and questioned whether the existing legislation offers an appropriate and effective framework to support the development and revitalisation of Welsh. As the statutory body charged with the function of promoting and advancing Welsh we have a duty to do this and to advise appropriately where we see the need for improvements and amendments".

The position paper summarises the Board's opinion on these matters. The paper considers the following issues: language rights; Welsh in the workplace; the scope of the 1993 Act; normalising the use of Welsh; weaknesses in the current legislation; independent regulation; the role of the National Assembly; and transitional arrangements in light of the Board's incorporation.

Chair of the Board, Meri Huws, said "Since its establishment the Board has been fully aware that strengthening the position of Welsh depends on the goodwill and support of Non-Welsh speakers as well as those who speak Welsh. The Board feels strongly that legislation that promotes the language and protects the rights of the minority is a means of developing rather than endangering consensus.

We trust that this paper is a contribution towards the essential debate about how a legislative framework can contribute towards the Government's aim of creating a truly bilingual Wales".

ENDS

Notes to Editors

A copy of the Position Statement can be found on the Board's website www.welsh-language-board.org.uk

Summary of the main points in the Position paper

• There is a need to review the existing legislation. Specifically, the Board believes that new measures should be developed in relation to language rights; the development of statutory measures to promote bilingual working within public bodies; and putting in place legislation which aims to normalise the use of Welsh.
• The legislation affecting the language should primarily be the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales (the National Assembly).
• An independent regulator for the Welsh Language should be established, with statutory powers and a clearly defined role which should include agreeing and monitoring compliance with language schemes.
• None of the Board's current regulatory powers should be transferred from the Board until an independent regulator has been established on a statutory footing.
• The Assembly Government should consult fully on its proposals to merge the Board and reorganise its statutory role.