Legislation Committee No. 5
Consultation on the proposed National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Welsh Language) Order 2009
Legislation Committee No.5 has consulted on the proposed National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Welsh Language) Order 2009, which will give the National Assembly the right to legislate in relation to the Welsh language. The call for evidence has now closed.
Information on the proposed Legislative Competence Order and the Committee
View the video bulletin
Message from Mark Isherw
ood AM, Chair of the Committee
The Welsh language is an important part of our culture and living heritage.
I believe we are proud to be known as a bilingual nation - with increasing numbers of people learning the language, including myself. Around 20% of the population say they can speak Welsh while almost a quarter can understand it. Discussion about the future of the Welsh language incites passionate responses from a range of view points.
Legislation Committee No. 5 is looking specifically at the question of whether the National Assembly for Wales should be able to make laws in relation to the Welsh language as set out in the proposed LCO.
We will be considering the proposed LCO carefully - the areas where it would allow the National Assembly for Wales to make Welsh laws (called Measures), looking at whether its scope is too broad or too narrow.
It covers:
the promotion and use of the Welsh language;
the ability to impose duties on certain categories of bodies to provide services to the public bilingually;
the freedom of persons to communicate in Welsh with each other.
There are three key questions we would like to hear your views on in particular, based on what’s in the proposed LCO. But we’re also seeking views on more detailed questions in relation to the scope of the proposed Order and the way it’s been drafted. Please respond in the way that you feel is most appropriate to your level and area of interest in the proposed Order.
Have your Say
We want to hear your views on whether the National Assembly for Wales should be able to make laws in relation to the Welsh language.
1. Should the National Assembly for Wales be able to make laws on the promotion and use of the Welsh language?
2. Should the National Assembly for Wales be able to make laws about which services the public should be able to receive bilingually?
3. Should the National Assembly for Wales be able to make laws on the freedom of persons to use the Welsh language with each other?
If you want to respond in more detail:
The full consultation letter calling for evidence, including more detailed questions on the proposed LCO, can be found here (html) (PDF 51KB).
How to Respond
Send your views by 20 March 2009, marked "Consultation LC 5 - Welsh Language LCO” to:
legislationoffice@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Or by post to: Legislation Committee No. 5, Legislation Office, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, CF99 1NA.
As is the general practice of legislation Committees when considering proposals for Legislative Competence Orders, the Committee will avoid reviewing existing policies in this area, or engaging in detailed discussions on the specific proposals for Measures which could be brought forward as a result of the conferral of legislative competence, for example, views relating to how Measures should be implemented. This would be a matter for scrutiny by the Assembly at a later date.
The National Assembly for Wales normally publishes its responses to public consultation. If you do not want your response or name and address (or part of the address) published it is important that you specify this clearly to us in writing at the end of your submission.
