The Welsh Language Board welcomed the Government’s announcement to include a further 57 bodies under the 1993 Welsh Language Act.
These bodies will now be required under law to draw up statutory Welsh Language Schemes. They include Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales, Olympic Delivery Authority, the Sector Skills Councils and the Royal Mail.
Meri Huws, Chair of the Welsh Language Board said:
“This announcement by the Government is very welcomed, and will significantly strengthen the status of the Welsh language. The Welsh Language Board is looking forward to work with these service providing bodies to ensure that they can provide first class services to their customers, and help them promote the services so that Welsh speakers can access them and use them.”
“I am glad to see that the Special Educational Needs Tribunal is included as it will mean that families can use the service in their language of choice in the future. It is important when you consider the sensitive circumstances in which this service operates.
“I hope that naming the Olympic Delivery Authority will bring visual status to the Welsh language in a high profile event that takes place –in part – here in Wales.
“Naming the Sector Skills Councils will bring new momentum to language issues in this sector and I firmly believe that this is vital if we want our children and young people to use the language as a natural part of their life.
“Royal Mail is a perfect example of an organisation with which we have day to day contact, and should therefore provide their services through the medium of Welsh.
“All these bodies should ensure that people are welcomed to use the Welsh language when dealing with them and should promote the Welsh services available.
“The Welsh Language Board will be happy to assist the named organisations to prepare and implement their language schemes during 2008/09.”
Notes for editors
- The Welsh Language Board’s main statutory role is to oversee the preparation and implementation of Welsh language Schemes in compliance with the welsh language Act of 1993.
2. During 2007/08 the Welsh Language Board approved 63 new Welsh language scheme; revised 45 and 188 replied to the annual monitoring report.