Equal Status for Welsh Highlighted in Command Paper

The news published by the Celtic League:

Equal Status for Welsh Highlighted in Command Paper

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The United Kingdom Government has issued a ‘Command Paper’ which sets out a blueprint for the future of devolution in Wales.

The sixty page document can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/powers-for-a-purpose-towards-...

Of particular interest to the Celtic League is section 2:10 of the Paper which draws on the Point No. 9 of the ‘Silk Commission’ recommendations in relation to the Welsh language:

“The UK Government and Welsh Government should systematically assess and keep under review the way in which the Welsh language is used across government, in particular with a view to amending any United Kingdom legislation that does not give equal status to the Welsh language in Wales.”

The Command Paper makes it clear that this recommendation should be implemented fully.

The move has been welcomed by Welsh Language Commissioner, Meri Huws, who indicated she will monitor its implementation she said:

“Some UK laws treat the Welsh language less favourably than the English language, and prevent people in Wales from using the Welsh language. I am pleased to see cross-party commitment to reform legislation that does not give equal status to the Welsh language in Wales.

“As there is political consensus on this point, I expect to see the Government in power as of May of this year, whatever its colour, acting on this commitment in the next Parliament.

“I am pleased to see that the Government is committed to ensuring that Welsh language schemes will be implemented more thoroughly. With so many key services, including services relating to pensions, benefits, passports and driving, being provided by the UK Government, I expect to see this commitment implemented in order to improve the service for Welsh users.

“The Government said it will seek to ensure that citizens in Wales are able to register important life events in the Welsh language in the future. These include registering births, marriages, deaths and cremation. I expect to see some action on this commitment which will lead to establishing greater fairness to the citizen in Wales.”

Link to the Welsh Language Commissioners web site here:

http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.org/english/Pages/Home.aspx

J B Moffatt (Mr)

Director of Information
Celtic League

06/03/15

(Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur).

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