The Member makes a very strong point. Many place names have changed multiple times over the centuries. There are towns and villages in Wales that have had no fewer than five names. The key point to the historic environment Act is that we were able to bring forward statutory duties on—and I’ll come to this point—local planning authorities to pay due regard to that list and to consider historic place names in any changes that may take place. So, there are practical purposes behind this list that go beyond merely educating and informing the public.

The list will, of course, help to raise general awareness about the importance of historic place names and encourage their use, but it will be much more than just a record. It will also support, as I’ve mentioned, the informed and sensitive management of the historic environment. In statutory guidance that I will be issuing to local and national park authorities and Natural Resources Wales this May, use of the list of historic place names will be specifically considered. In general terms, that guidance will direct these public bodies to take account of the list of historic place names when considering the naming and renaming of streets, properties and other places, either directly or, indeed, as the Member outlined, by another party. This will make sure that appropriate historic names are given proper consideration before these bodies take any naming decisions. More specifically, it will guide local authorities on the use of the list of historic place names in the exercise of their statutory responsibilities over street and property naming and numbering. Anyone wishing to change a property name that is part of its official address, whether that name is historic or not, must make an application to the local authority. The new guidance will direct local authorities to recognise historic place names and their policies on street and property naming, and make applicants aware of historic names and encourage them to use them.

These measures will highlight the importance of historic place names and make sure that they continue to be vital elements of Wales’s heritage. These measures are proportionate and crucially they are deliverable. Any legislation to introduce formal protection at this time would be premature. Moreover, based on the information provided in the Member’s explanatory memorandum, I have some reservations about the proposals.