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Welsh Affairs

It is precisely because this party is the party of the Union—[Hon. Members: ““Hear, hear!””] Hang on—wait for it. We need to acknowledge genuine concern over the devolutionary settlement, and we will work constructively to find a solution to that problem. To say at this stage that we are anti-devolution would be quite incorrect. We have made it clear that things can be done differently at different levels of government. We share the view that when an issue can be best resolved locally, that is the course we should take. When, however, a UK-approach is needed, co-operation and collaboration should be the guiding principles. I am interested in working with the Secretary of State to see how we can improve our processes, so that Members are able to get accurate information at Government level on matters affecting their constituencies, without having to ask Assembly Members to table questions for them. There should be an open door in that case because there is a problem. Quite rightly, Members want to know what is happening in their constituencies, and if there are occasions when they are ruled out of order, or when there is no mechanism for them to do so, it is difficult. Our aim is clear: it is to ensure that the Assembly is a success and that it delivers for the people of Wales. I should like to quote the words of the Secretary of State, which represent something that we can agree on. He said:"““We must take great care that we do not become a little bit too obsessed with identity and nationhood. I do not have to look in the mirror every quarter of an hour to remind myself that I am a Welshman—I am, and I am proud of it. At the same time, however, I know that what my constituents expect of me is an improvement in their lives.””—[Official Report, Welsh Grand Committee, 12 December 2007; c. 27.]" I agree with that, and I am sure that every Member can, too. I am sure that the Secretary of State will agree that Wales is, and should continue to be, part of the Union. I hope that his party's dangerous liaison with Plaid Cymru will not weaken the links. Today is a day for celebrating Wales, its culture, its people, its heritage and its future. I want to talk about the Welsh language for a moment because I am proud to remind the House that it was a Conservative Government who introduced the Welsh Language Act 1993, which led to a huge renaissance in the use of Welsh. Perhaps it is also an opportune moment for me to pay tribute to Lord Roberts, who retired from the Conservative Front Bench in the other place this year. Lord Roberts piloted that Act through the House, and I am sure that we have not heard the last of him. This brings me to something that caused me great concern. I heard that the plans for the daily Welsh language paper Y Byd—I hope the House will please forgive my pronunciation—have been abandoned after receiving insufficient support. May I ask the Secretary of State what encouragement he has given to Y Byd? I met Y Byd's promoters at the Eisteddfod last year, and they were full of enthusiasm and hope. I was very much looking forward to the launch of the first edition, and I am disappointed that the paper may not ever be published.