2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:34 pm on 2 March 2021.

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Photo of Rebecca Evans Rebecca Evans Labour 2:34, 2 March 2021

Thank you for raising these issues. I do echo the sentiments that have already been made by my colleague, the Minister for Mental Health, Well-being and the Welsh Language, who has said that the comments to which you refer were completely unacceptable, because, of course, we are a nation that's really proud of our history and our culture, and our Welsh language is absolutely integral to that. And Welsh belongs to us all regardless of whether we are Welsh speakers or not, and I think the vast majority of Welsh people are absolutely proud and passionate about our language as well. 

I do know that the Minister has spoken with the chair of HEIW, and I know that she impressed upon HEIW how important a part the Welsh language plays in serving the public of Wales as a whole. And, of course, now that would be a matter for HEIW to take forward internally to ensure that that is given the prominence and respect that it requires in future, but Eluned Morgan has taken this matter very seriously.

And on baby development groups, there are a wide range of face-to-face classes that we would love to see opened as soon as the situation is safe to do so. Clearly, there are groups of all kinds that are so important to our mental health and well-being, but particularly I know that baby development groups have a special purpose to serve as well. So, that will definitely be something that we consider as we move through each of the three-weekly review periods.