9. Welsh Conservatives Debate: The ambition of the Cymraeg 2050 strategy of reaching 1 million Welsh speakers in a generation

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:06 pm on 3 July 2019.

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Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 6:06, 3 July 2019

(Translated)

Thank you, but, with respect, I would say that the purpose of the commissioner’s office is to safeguard and reinforce the status of the Welsh language, not non-Welsh speakers. I think that might confuse the function generally if it were to be done through the same office. But thank you for that intervention.

Perhaps it’ll come as no great surprise—and I would say this—when Conservative candidates in target seats publicly complain about bilingual signage and call for the abolition of this Parliament and, in that, any hope of increasing the number of Welsh speakers. I would urge the Conservative Party to please have a word with those people.

In concluding, I would also like to say that we do need to look at what needs to happen now. We need action from the Government rather than more dragging of feet, which is the basis of amendment 3. I think we have waited long enough for the introduction of the Welsh language standards in all the remaining areas, which are housing associations, buses and trains, energy and water, telecommunications companies, and so on and so forth. Where are they? I would urge the Minister to make a pledge in the Chamber this afternoon that a comprehensive timetable will be published before recess in responding to this debate. Thank you.