Meetings

NDM6356 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s aim of publishing a strategy in order to reach a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

2. Notes the Plaid Cymru report ‘Reaching the Million’ which outlines clearly some of the main strategic priorities for growing the number of Welsh speakers in Wales to a million by 2050.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) plan for substantial growth, and normalising, Welsh medium education and child care;

b) ensure that language considerations are intrinsic in economic planning as part of maintaining the current maintenance regimes and the need for this to be reflected in the Welsh Government’s proposed economic strategy;

c) strengthen the role of the Welsh language Commissioner to regulate and promote the rights of Welsh speakers and extend the Welsh language standards to the private sector including the telecommunications sector, banks and supermarkets;

d) establish a new arms-length agency to promote the Welsh language within education, communities and the economy.

‘Reaching the Million’

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Notes the Welsh Government's intention to publish a White Paper for consultation this summer on provision for a new Welsh Language Bill.

Recognises the action being taken already to promote and facilitate the use of Welsh across communities and workplaces, in formal and informal settings.

Welcomes the establishment of a planning board to advise on a national programme to promote the use of the Welsh language.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2. Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Believes that flying in the face of local public opinion will limit the chances of success of the Welsh Government's strategy of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that:

a) any changes to existing key stages 1 to 5 education and childcare provision involves genuine local consultation whereby:

i) all respondents supply their names, addresses and postcodes; and

ii) each individual named in any submitted petition is recorded as a discrete observation unit; and

b) the opinions of third parties, agents and commissioners, including those purporting to offer expert advice on Welsh language provision, are not given priority over the wishes of local residents and parents.

[If amendment 2 is agreed, amendments 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be de-selected]

Amendment 3. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete 3(b) and replace with:

consider how best to promote the acquisition and use of Welsh language skills as an intrinsic part of its economic strategy.

Amendment 4. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete 3(c) and replace with:

review the role of the Welsh Language Commissioner and ensure that the Commissioner is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales.

Amendment 5. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Insert as new sub-point after 3(c) and renumber accordingly:

reflect on the purpose and effectiveness of Welsh language standards prior to any proposal to extend their application into the private sector.

Amendment 6. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete 3(d) and replace with:

adopt a new model, outside government, to promote the Welsh language within education, communities and the economy.

The item started at 16.26

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until voting time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6356 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s aim of publishing a strategy in order to reach a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

2. Notes the Plaid Cymru report ‘Reaching the Million’ which outlines clearly some of the main strategic priorities for growing the number of Welsh speakers in Wales to a million by 2050.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) plan for substantial growth, and normalising, Welsh medium education and child care;

b) ensure that language considerations are intrinsic in economic planning as part of maintaining the current maintenance regimes and the need for this to be reflected in the Welsh Government’s proposed economic strategy;

c) strengthen the role of the Welsh language Commissioner to regulate and promote the rights of Welsh speakers and extend the Welsh language standards to the private sector including the telecommunications sector, banks and supermarkets;

d) establish a new arms-length agency to promote the Welsh language within education, communities and the economy.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Notes the Welsh Government's intention to publish a White Paper for consultation this summer on provision for a new Welsh Language Bill.

Recognises the action being taken already to promote and facilitate the use of Welsh across communities and workplaces, in formal and informal settings.

Welcomes the establishment of a planning board to advise on a national programme to promote the use of the Welsh language.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendments 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were de-selected.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6356 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s aim of publishing a strategy in order to reach a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

2. Notes the Welsh Government's intention to publish a White Paper for consultation this summer on provision for a new Welsh Language Bill.

3. Recognises the action being taken already to promote and facilitate the use of Welsh across communities and workplaces, in formal and informal settings.

4. Welcomes the establishment of a planning board to advise on a national programme to promote the use of the Welsh language.

The motion as amended was agreed.