Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you. I think we've got a very long and proud tradition in terms of our relationships with Japan. Of course, we had a lot of companies move in in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and they really transformed parts of our communities. It's very sad to see now companies like Sony have said that they will be moving their headquarters out of the United Kingdom as a direct result of Brexit....
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you. I do welcome the fact that we have the opportunity now to look at what’s happening in the wider world. I am aware, of course, that this is a reserved matter to a great extent to the Government, and of course we have a great interest, particularly if there are links between the people of Wales and the other areas of the world. As regards the matter of the Kurds, may I say that I...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Whilst diplomatic relations are conducted officially by the UK Government, the Welsh Government will not refrain from developing relations with regions or nations or people where that will be of benefit to Wales.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you very much. I think there are about 20 offices across the world belonging to Welsh Government. What I want to do at the moment is to review their influence and their efficiency and what impact they have. One of our committees has asked us to ensure that we get value for money out of them, so before expanding the network I wish to ensure that what we already have is right and proper....
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you. I'm very much looking forward to hosting that event on Thursday of this week, where we're launching that consultation on what the future strategy for internationalism in Wales should look like. Of course, as part of the developments in the Wales for Africa programme, Zimbabwe will feature, I'm sure, already in that. One of the things I'm keen to do is make sure that we develop a...
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.
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: Welsh Government engages internationally across the breadth of Government, in education, health, business, environment, trade and investment, tourism and marketing to name a few. Part of my new role will be to focus this engagement by creating a new strategy which will articulate our international agenda.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: The Welsh Language Commissioner provides Working Welsh—Iaith Gwaith resources to help bodies advertise when Welsh services are available, and produces guidance documents. The National Centre for Learning Welsh provides tailored courses for bodies to improve their Welsh language provisions, and the mentrau iaith assist bodies to promote and mainstream the Welsh language.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Governments’ decisions on where to locate consulates are a decision for them, but we are very keen to encourage other nations to follow the lead of Ireland and to establish consulates here in Wales. We will, of course. continue to work closely with embassies and high commissions irrespective of whether they have a consulate in Wales.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: In 2018-19, the Welsh Government provide £4.2 million via the grant scheme to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language to core delivery partners. We will be reviewing the scheme in 2019-20.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Wales has a long history of close relationships with Catalonia and we want this to continue. However, this particular matter is one for Spain and the Spanish courts to resolve.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: International priorities will be shaped through a new international strategy. We are at the start of that process, the focus will be on economic benefit and influence for Wales.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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...
