January 2006

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WELSH LANGUAGE BOARD ISSUES A STATEMENT ON THE LEGISLATIVE POSITION OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE

January 2006 - The members of the Welsh Language Board published a position statement on the legislative situation of the Welsh Language. The paper was prepared as part of the Board’s statutory functions and has been presented to First Minister for the Welsh Assembly Government, and to Prime Minister Tony Blair.

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”.

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.

Moreover, the paper specifically states that there is a need to review the existing legislation. According to the Board, new measures should be developed in relation to language rights, and new legislation aiming at normalising the use of Welsh should be put in place. The text also specifies that the legislation affecting the language should primarily be the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales (the National Assembly), and that an independent regulator for the Welsh Language should be established, with statutory powers and a clearly defined role.

More information can be found at: http://www.welsh-language-board.org.uk/download.php/pID=60737.9