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Government of Wales Bill

My Lords, briefly but very sincerely, I also tender my congratulations to the Minister, to the Government and to the noble Lord, Lord Prys-Davies, on what I believe is a very significant step forward. I do not think that it was entirely worthy of the noble Lord, Lord Roberts of Conwy, to suggest that there was bad faith on the part of Her Majesty’s Government, least of all any suggestion of sinister motives. However, it would have been easy for Her Majesty’s Government to have said, ““Well, by and large, this is what we have been doing for many years, this is the policy set out in publications such as Iaith Pawb””—that is the language of everyone. I believe that giving statutory sinew to the policies and practices of the Assembly is extremely significant. On the future of the Welsh language, the psychology is all important. The noble Lord, Lord Prys-Davies, says that its position is fragile. I am sorry to say that I completely agree with him. This House will have heard on many occasions a quotation from the famous words of Edmund Burke:"““All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing””." For the Welsh language to remain in jeopardy, it is only necessary for those who wish it well to be utterly passive about its future. I am very glad to see the word ““must”” included. It occurs in Clauses 72 to 78 inclusive. Normally the mandatory provision in a statute is brought about by the use of the word ““shall””, but ““must”” makes it more mandatory still. I am very proud indeed to be in the House tonight to see a measure that I am convinced is of considerable significance as regards the future of the ancient language of Wales. Diolch yn fawr.