Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you, Darren. I don't want you to get the impression that I'm keen to be making trade deals with other countries for the sake of it. I am absolutely clear that the priority for the Welsh Government should be in ensuring that the most important trade relationship—our relationship with the European Union, where 60 per cent of our goods goes—should be the priority, above all other...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Well, we're already having extensive conversations with the Minister responsible in the Department for International Trade about how we can engage with the process. So, we're in the process of establishing a very formal structure, so that we can not only have an input into what should be the priority areas for the Welsh Government, in terms of countries that will have an impact—and they...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you very much. I think that a great deal of work is being done in this field, and the majority of that work is being done by the Welsh Government. One of the things we have done, of course, is to find about 12 people who go around Wales providing advice to people in the field of business about how they can expand their use of the Welsh language within the workplace. Of course, we also...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Well, I accept that we do need to do much more in the field of language planning. I have asked officials to bring forward ideas to me about where would be most appropriate to set that. I am eager to discuss with experts in the field to see where the best place for that function is, as some believe that is should be at an arm’s length from Government, but others say, 'Actually it needs to be...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: The 2018-19 action plan, Cymraeg 2050, is based on the 2017-21 work programme. We will be reporting on progress against the objectives in the autumn, having gathered and analysed the data, and the objectives focus on creating demand, increasing numbers and increasing use of the language.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you. I'm sure that the Member is aware that, actually, unlike in England, we have given a massive injection of money to really transform the provision of school estates in Wales. It's something that is absolutely the envy of the rest of the United Kingdom. So I don't think we've got anything to be ashamed of in this area. Now, of course, there are still some schools where we do need...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Well, thank you, and thanks for your interest in this area. I think what we've got to do is to keep an eye on the big picture, which is how we increase the number of Welsh speakers in our schools. And what's important, therefore, is the number of pupils, rather than the number of schools. And that's why we're focusing very much on increasing the number of pupils who are having their education...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: I have regular discussions with my colleague the Minister for Education to ensure that, as a Government, we're all working together to create an education system to increase the number of Welsh speakers that supports and encourages the use of Welsh within schools, in communities and also in workplaces.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: North-east Wales is of vital importance to the Welsh economy. I am working closely with the Minister for Economy and Transport to promote its many strengths as an excellent place to do business.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: As this is a reserved matter the Welsh Government has not made a representation to the European Court of Human Rights. However, we are aware of the great concern in Wales around this issue and that is why I made the Turkish ambassador aware of this when I met him recently.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: International trade is vital to Wales’s future prosperity. This has been recognised within the economic action plan and will also be reflected in the forthcoming international strategy.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: One hundred and seven bodies comply with Welsh language standards and therefore come under duties not to treat the Welsh language less favourably than English. Eighteen health sector bodies will join them on 30 May. The commissioner and Welsh Government also work with businesses to encourage them to treat Welsh and English equally.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: We actively promote Wales in Europe through the Welsh Government’s network of offices in Brussels, Paris, Dublin, Berlin and Dusseldorf. We recently hosted St David’s Day receptions in Paris, Brussels and Dublin aimed at building relationships and promoting Wales culturally, economically and politically.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: The Welsh Government has long had a suite of support services designed to help Welsh companies to export their goods and services to all markets both inside and outside the EU. These will continue to be available after we leave the European Union.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: We are working with a wide range of local and national partners to increase the number of Welsh speakers across the South Wales West region, in line with the vision set out in 'Cymraeg 2050'.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: All of the recommendations in the report were accepted and will be delivered during the remainder of this Assembly term.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Now, I understand that a proposal along the lines of investigating the establishment of a north-west Europe economic forum, which was mentioned by Mick Antoniw, is under consideration by the Committee of the Regions at the moment, and I look forward to the outcome of the committee's decision, which, of course, will take place after the UK's exit from the European Union. I was really...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you, Llywydd. May I first of all thank Mick Antoniw and Bethan Sayed for their report on the relationship between Wales and the Committee of the Regions? And may I congratulate Delyth Jewell on her appointment as spokesperson for Plaid Cymru on international relations? Now, I have been aware of the work of this committee over a lengthy period of time, and I think it’s a European...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you. I think we've really increased quite significantly our relationships with businesses and our promotion of the Welsh language. So, we're very proud that the National Centre for Learning Welsh has put considerable effort into teaching Welsh in the workplace, and that's been taken up by literally thousands of people. So, I would encourage them to make sure that they are looking into...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Cymraeg 2050 is an ambitious long-term strategy. Our initial efforts have concentrated on laying firm foundations for the future, building from the ground up to secure enough learners through the education system. We’re on track to reach our 2021 targets as regards the early years sector, and, of course, the Welsh in education strategic plans have helped us to do that.
