A proposed Welsh Language Measure that will lead to rights for Welsh speakers to receive services in Welsh, has been published today (Thursday 4 March).

Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, told AMs that the proposed Measure on the Welsh language would fulfil the three One Wales commitments to confirm official status for Welsh, rights in the provision of services and establish the post of Language Commissioner.

“This proposed Measure will answer the call for Welsh speakers to have the right to receive services in Welsh - and will establish a Welsh Language Commissioner to enforce these rights. The Commissioner will also play a role in promoting and facilitating the use of Welsh and promoting equality between the Welsh and English languages,” he said.

“Today’s publication will be the beginning of a detailed scrutiny process and we look forward to discussing how the proposed Measure can best deliver these objectives.”

First Minister, Carwyn Jones, said the proposed Measure was an important and historic step in strengthening the Welsh language.

“It has been nearly two decades since any Government has introduced legislation solely focused on the Welsh language,” he said.

“During that period the position of the language has improved in many ways but the challenges facing it have also grown. The proposed Measure provides us with some of the tools we need to ensure that the Welsh language  can continue to prosper into the twenty first century alongside the English language.”

The proposed Measure makes provision in four key areas:

• * to confirm the official status of the Welsh language in Wales;  

* to establish the post of Welsh Language Commissioner. The Commissioner will have wide ranging functions, including promoting and facilitating the use of the Welsh and promoting equality between the Welsh and English languages;  

• * to modernise the framework for the use of the Welsh language in the delivery of public services.  Over time, Welsh language schemes will be replaced by Welsh language standards. This will reduce the bureaucratic burden on organisations and create greater consistency for the consumer. The Commissioner will have more powerful enforcement powers than have been available to the Welsh Language Board to ensure that Welsh language services are delivered;
• * to give the Commissioner the power to investigate complaints from Welsh speakers who believe that their freedom to use Welsh with one another has been interfered with.

Heritage Minister, Mr Jones, added:

“The past twenty years have shown very clearly the advantages of having a legal framework which underpins the Government’s support for the language.  They have also demonstrated the importance of having a strong advocate for the language, independent of Government.  We think that the time is right to strengthen that legal framework and to introduce a new language champion.”

The Welsh Assembly Government has also paid tribute to the Welsh Language Board for all the hard work it has delivered under the 1993 Act.

The Heritage Minister will next week make a statement to Plenary about the rationale behind the proposed legislation and will then take questions from Assembly Members.  This is the first of a number of stages of scrutiny that the Measure will be subject to by the National Assembly for Wales.  

(*source: Welsh Assembly Government Press Release)