Group 4 is the next group, and this next group of amendments relates to Welsh-medium provision. Amendment 79 is the lead amendment in this group, and I call on Laura Anne Jones to move the lead amendment and to speak to the group. Laura Jones. 

Amendment 79 (Laura Anne Jones) moved.

Diolch, Llywydd. I wish to speak to my amendments 79 and 80. The purpose of these amendments is to strengthen the duty on the commission to promote Welsh-medium tertiary education to reflect the ambitions of 'Cymraeg 2050'. 

On amendment 79, I have chosen to resubmit this amendment as I still believe it is vital to reflect the commission's important role in reaching the 1 million Welsh speakers objective. 

As for amendment 80, this is to amend the Minister's Stage 2 amendments. The reason for this is to add clarity and focus to the Minister's amendments with regard to 'Cymraeg 2050', by ensuring that specific mention is made to the provision of resources. I hope the Minister will see the value in this. Diolch.

Plaid Cymru, of course, supports the principle of securing resources to promote and enhance the demand for Welsh-medium tertiary education, and we voiced our concerns about this during Stages 1 and 2, concerns that were shared during Stage 1 by UCAC, the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and the Welsh Language Commissioner. We were therefore pleased to have seen during Stage 2 a robust amendment to ensure that the commission would need to not only meet demand, but also to promote, encourage and secure Welsh-medium provision. We agree with the Government that the strategic duty mentioned in amendment 11 meets the concerns, and that amendments 79 and 80 are inappropriate because the question of resources is part of the strategic duty to encourage demand. 

If we are to reach a million Welsh speakers by 2050, then promoting the benefits of Welsh-medium provision to learners and students, of course, is crucially important. We need to nurture the confidence of students that bilingual or Welsh-medium pathways are possible for them, and ensure that those pathways are attractive to them, and that the appropriate support will be there for them.

I was encouraged also at Stage 2 particularly in terms of the Minister's comments on the role of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol in this regard, and its relationship with the commission. Of course, we are of the view that the coleg must decide and advise as to how to allocate any resources for Welsh-medium provision through the commission, and that it should be channelled through the coleg. I was pleased to hear the Minister confirming that they would have a crucial role to play in ensuring continuity from statutory education to post-16 education by collaborating with the commission. We would therefore be pleased to have confirmation of the Minister's vision in that regard this afternoon.   

The Minister to contribute.

Thank you, Llywydd. As I've stated before, I'm convinced that the language belongs to us all, and that we must keep encouraging and create opportunities to use the Welsh language, particularly in our tertiary education sector. I congratulate Laura Anne Jones on her use of the Welsh language in the Chamber this afternoon. 

Members will be aware that the strategic duty in respect of promoting Welsh-medium tertiary education was amended at Stage 2, as previously mentioned, expanding the duty to require the commission to encourage demand for and participation in tertiary education through the medium of Welsh. 

Whilst I welcome the Member's support for resourcing increased participation in Welsh-medium tertiary education, I cannot support amendment 79 nor amendment 80, as the provision of resources is covered by the requirement to encourage demand for and participation in tertiary education provided in Wales through the medium of Welsh. Singling out resources risks making the duty less clear, as it may introduce ambiguity as to whether provision of resources falls within the scope of the duty to encourage demand. 

In terms of the question that Sioned Williams asked, the explanatory memorandum has now been amended to reflect what was agreed during Stage 2. So, the wider explanation is related to that.

So, I call on Members to reject these amendments. 

Laura Jones to respond.

Diolch. Diolch, Minister. I'm disappointed the Minister has rejected my amendment, as it disagrees with the notion of specific mention of resource provision in our pursuit of 'Cymraeg 2050' objectives. 

Even though I agree with a lot of what the Member for Plaid Cymru just said, I'm disappointed that the Minister has rejected my amendment to his Stage 2 amendment, as, in my view, it would only serve to improve the amendment. Therefore, I ask Members to support it. 

Amendment 79. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There are objections. We will therefore move to a vote on amendment 79. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 38 against. Therefore, amendment 79 is not agreed.

Amendment 79: For: 15, Against: 38, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been rejected

Amendment 11—is it moved, Minister?

Amendment 11 (Jeremy Miles) moved.

Yes.

It is. Amendment 11. Are there any objections? There are none. Therefore, amendment 11 is agreed.

Amendment agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 80 in the name of Laura Anne Jones. Is it moved? 

Amendment 80 (Laura Anne Jones) moved.

Move.

It's moved. Are there any objections to amendment 80? [Objection.] There is an objection. We will therefore move to a vote on amendment 80. Open the vote.

Amendment 80 in the name of Laura Jones.

Close the vote. In favour 17, no abstentions, 36 against. Therefore, amendment 80 is not agreed.

Amendment 80: For: 17, Against: 36, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been rejected