Welsh Affairs

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 8:42 pm on 2 March 1988.

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Photo of Dr Alan Williams Dr Alan Williams , Carmarthen 8:42, 2 March 1988

On this, my first contribution to an annual debate on Welsh affairs, I have chosen a semi-nationalist topic — the Welsh language and the effects of some Government policies in the past few years on the language, particularly in my constituency.

The Welsh language has been in decline throughout the century. Scarcely 20 per cent. of the people of Wales are Welsh-speaking, but in Carmarthen and in Dyfed and Gwynedd that proportion is about 60 per cent. Nevertheless, the language is in decline and facing a battle for survival.

I have in mind one of my predecessors who was the first Nationalist Member of Parliament, Mr. Gwynfor Evans, who, 20 years ago, won Carmarthen in that famous by-election. Although those were my formative years politically, I have never been attracted to the cause of nationalism, despite feeling very strongly for the language. By definition, nationalism is about eventual separation. It is divisive. [Interruption.] I am sorry that the president of Plaid Cymru finds that hard to stomach.