Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: The story of this Bill demonstrates the point made by the First Minister about how inadequate the arrangements for dealing with legislative consent are in the process of passing Westminster legislation. In his speech of last September, the previous First Minister asked for the parliamentary process to be reformed in order to ensure a clear period during the final phases of any Westminster...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Now, I've written to both the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee and Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee updating them on all the changes made to the Bill as it progressed. However, as the Bill has now been further delayed, presumably because of the Government's concern that it will not be able to persuade the Commons to overturn the amendment that would commit...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Diolch yn fawr. I'd love to reopen the debate and discuss the Sewel convention and the interactions with the UK Government and the trade remedies and why we should support a customs union. That's not really what we're here to debate today. We've already passed the LCM motion on the Trade Bill that referred to aspects that were devolved to Wales. I am absolutely at a loss at to why Plaid Cymru...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: It's a pleasure.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: No, there's absolutely no loss. In fact, we have more powers as a result of this amendment. And so, that's why—
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: No, no—I think, if you look at it as an Assembly, you will see that there are more powers as a result of this amendment. So, I think there is an inconsistency in terms of Plaid Cymru's approach. I agree with the Chair of the external affairs committee that the process is absolutely not acceptable. If we have a process where new amendments come in, there are no opportunities for us to...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: We are working with a wide range of local and national partners to promote the Welsh language across the South Wales West region in line with the vision set out in 'Cymraeg 2050'.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you. Of course, we have a strategy in place—the Welsh in education strategic plans—and under that it’s a requirement for every local authority in Wales to ensure that they provide more opportunities for people to learn through the medium of Welsh. I am pleased to say that a new primary school will be opened in the Neath Port Talbot area and, of course, we’re very keen to see an...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: One of the things that we will be doing during the next few weeks is to ensure that the Welsh Government’s department and the commissioner’s office are working together much better to ensure that people know where to go in terms of provision. We hope that that helpline—more people will be led towards it and we will see then a better use of that line in the future. But it’s just the...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you, Mike, once again, for using the Welsh language in the Chamber. I think it is essential that we see that there is more provision in terms of getting people to start their education at a very young age, and that’s why we’ve provided £1 million to nursery schools throughout Wales. Of course, we are having discussions with local authorities, including Swansea—and with other...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you. I think there's a recognition that we need to do more to engage our diaspora. I think that figure of 10 million is quite ambitious, and whether we'd be able to reach out to all 10 million people who have some kind of association with Wales is questionable. But I do think that the best people to tell our story are people who have a passion for our nation. We've looked already at the...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you. I think you're absolutely right that we need to raise the profile of Wales internationally. What is clear is that we are recognised in different markets very differently—so, areas where there is a big rugby tradition, we're pretty well known, but there are other areas and parts of the world where we have very little in terms of common historic background, and those are the areas...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you. Well, clearly, we have an ambition to increase inward investment, and that is difficult when investors don't know what that relationship with our largest market—500 million people—will be in the future. So, I think there is a break in terms of investment, although, if you look at the absolute figures, we are actually performing very well at the moment. But if you look at why...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: We've already done some significant organisation. In fact, I am, later on this afternoon, meeting our official who is based out in Japan, who has come back to discuss this very issue. I think it's important that we recognise the long-established relationship that has been between Wales and Japanese companies that have been coming here and investing here for the past 30 years. We want that...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you. Well, I think it was rather grand—the Emperor's installation—but I think what is important, though, is that we look to how we can build on those relationships, as you suggested. We have the Japanese ambassador coming to Wales for a two-day period in June. I'll be hosting a reception with him and entertaining also many of those Japanese companies that have made their homes here...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: My goodness, we'll have to roll out the red carpet for that, won't we? But thank you very much. I think, in terms of memoranda of understanding, different nations like to use these in different ways. Some nations are very keen on these; others are not so keen and they would rather action plans. So, I think we've got to look for horses for courses, and see what works best for both our...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: I have regular meetings with the Minister for Education where we discuss issues relating to Welsh-medium education. Ensuring the provision of Welsh-medium courses within universities is a key priority for the Welsh Government, and the role of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol is, of course, vital in securing this aim.
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Thank you. I think you're absolutely right that there has been a transformation as a result of the establishment of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, but it's still fairly new, and so that cultural embeddedness really still needs to deliver. It is delivering very significantly in terms of modules in certain specific subjects, but you're right that there are pockets where that is proving more...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Already there has been a huge increase, so we're up to about 6,800 students now who are already studying part of their degree through the medium of Welsh. Of course, what we've done is to enhance the offer beyond higher education now; it's going into further education, which I think is essential. But what's important also—. I think there is a debate to be had in terms of the technical...
Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan: Wales and Turkey enjoy a cordial relationship focused on education, trade and cultural links. The Turkish ambassador to the UK visited Wales in the new year, and last week we received a delegation from the Turkish ministry of education.
