BGW2 EV4

Elin Jones AC/AM
Plaid Cymru Ceredigion

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas
Presiding Officer
National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff
CF99 1NA

29 July 2005

Ein Cyf / Our ref: CPA/118/6

Dear Dafydd

I’m writing following the resolution to establish an Assembly Committee to consider the White Paper. I am eager to present evidence to the Committee on one particular aspect of the White Paper - namely legislation relating to the Welsh language.

I had an opportunity to raise the very point I wish to address during the recent Assembly debate on the Queen’s Speech. I enclose a copy of my contribution to the debate. The Secretary of State failed to respond to my comments.

I am of the opinion that the National Assembly is the appropriate place to legislate on the Welsh language. The White Paper, by means of Orders in Council, affords an opportunity for this to happen. An Order in Council, giving the Assembly the power to legislate on the Welsh Language, could be passed in Westminster. The Assembly would then be free to discuss and approve Measures on the Welsh language at any time. Given that the Welsh Language is relevant only to Wales, this would not be contrary to the spirit of the White Paper.

However, there is a clause in the White Paper that precludes this. Clause 3.18 states that: "The power would be framed to ensure that no Order could give the Assembly powers over the whole of any of the fields listed in Schedule 2 of the Government of Wales Act."

The Welsh language is one of the policy areas listed in Schedule 2. I would therefore value an opportunity to make the case that the Welsh language should be exempt from the above clause. It could be argued of course that clause 3.18 as a whole should bed deleted- but I will allow others to raise that issue.

My points relate only to the Welsh language, to affording a special status to our legislative process and the Welsh language within the framework of the Act in time. I make this case in the context of the UK Government’s intention to increase the Assembly’s legislative powers. The National Assembly should be given total flexibility to legislate on the Welsh language through an Order in Council.

I hope that it will be possible for me to present my evidence in person, however I am aware that time is scarce.

Yours sincerely

Elin Jones, AM

Ty Goronwy, 32 Heol y Wîg/Pier Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. SY23 2LN

Ffôn/Tel: 01970 624516 elin.jones@cymru.gov.uk

Hefyd/Also: Chancery Lane, Aberteifi/Cardigan, Ceredigion. SA43 1HD