We were always conscious of the need to minimise bureaucracy and administration, but equally to ensure that any provisions that we bring forward lead to a better understanding and appreciation of historic place names and our heritage. We are confident that the arrangements that were developed as part of the passage of the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill results in minimal additional bureaucracy costs and administration but do deliver the job of better informing and ensuring that historic place names are, indeed, guaranteed and protected.

I’ve already said that the list of historic place names now contains over 350,000 entries and it will, of course, continue to grow. It will grow at a rapid rate. It will grow to, potentially, 1 million place names. And given the number of historic place names and the wide-ranging protection that the Member would like to introduce, I do not see how any system of general consent or control for changes can be feasible or affordable.

The issue of enforcement also gives me concern. A particular problem will be the regulation of names for natural features, fields and archaeological remains. Who would police infringements and what penalties would be imposed? In practice, I struggle to see what the legislation that the Member proposes will achieve beyond the actions that we are already taking. In May, we will have a resource that will, for the first time, provide access to our rich stock of historic place names for all. This will promote our historic place names so that they continue to be a living part of our nation long into the future.

Although I cannot support this motion, I believe that the groundbreaking measures that we are about to introduce are vital steps in appreciating and valuing this precious inheritance. And this is where I believe our energies and our resources should be directed. We will continue to work with the royal commission and its advisers, relevant public bodies and other interested parties to broaden awareness of the list and the important role it will have in the future, and I will keep Members fully informed of our work.