Oral Answers to Questions — Wales – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 2 March 2005.
If he will bring forward further legislative proposals in relation to the Welsh language.
I have to confess that I am rather disappointed by that answer. Can the Secretary of State confirm that no legislative changes are required to put into practice the First Minister's intention to bring the Welsh Language Board back into the Welsh Assembly Government and to establish the office of the y dyfarnwr?
I have not received any request for legislative proposals in that respect, although the First Minister has said that he will look for an opportunity, should it arise.
Does the Secretary of State accept that there are better and far more cost-effective ways of supporting the Welsh Language than ploughing more than £100 million each year into a television channel—S4C—that very few people watch? Indeed, the only people who seem to benefit from that £100 million are the well-heeled people running that company.
I do not agree with my hon. Friend, as I believe that S4C has contributed to the rise of Welsh speaking in Wales, which we all welcome. Speaking of the Welsh language in Wales is now stronger than it has been for generations and we would like to see a Welsh language channel continuing to thrive.
Twelve years after the passing of the Welsh Language Act 1993, and despite the promises of successive Governments, it is still not possible to register births in the Welsh language. Does the Secretary of State believe that parents in Wales should be able to register their children's birth in the language of their choice?
I would certainly be happy to look further into that, but I note that the former Welsh Language Board chairman, Rhodri Williams, said:
"We have not supported calls for a new Welsh Language Act. We believe it's through persuasion that we can get companies to use the language."
I realise that that does not directly address the hon. Gentleman's point, but it should be taken into account in the context of the overall legislative status of the language. [Interruption.]