Assembly Commission proposes new approach to its bilingual services
3 August 2011
The National Assembly for Wales Commission (Assembly Commission) is today (3 August 2011) launching a public consultation about a new framework to govern its bilingual services.
The (Draft) National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Bill would make provision about the use of the Welsh and English languages in proceedings of the National Assembly and in the discharge of the functions of the Assembly Commission.
The Bill would place a duty on the Assembly Commission to bring forward a Bilingual Services Scheme specifying the measures it proposes to take in order to comply with its duties as outlined in the Government of Wales Act 2006. Those services were previously modelled on the Welsh Language Act 1993, which has since been replaced by the Welsh Language Measure 2011. In line with fundamental constitutional principles, neither the Assembly nor the Commission are subject to the arrangements of the Measure, so the Assembly Commission decided to explore a new legislative framework to govern its bilingual services.
At its meeting on 14 July, the Assembly Commission agreed to propose new legislation to clearly place the duties of the National Assembly and of the Assembly Commission in relation to the provision of bilingual services on a sound statutory footing.
The Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM said: “The new Commissioners and I are committed to providing exemplar bilingual services for the Fourth Assembly. I’m confident that our plans will deliver that. This would be the first Commission-proposed Bill since the ‘yes’ vote of March 2011and I want to encourage as many people as possible to have their say during the consultation period to help shape our proposals.”
Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, Commissioner with responsibility for the Welsh language, said: “The proposed legislation would put in place robust arrangements for the Assembly’s bilingual services. The draft Scheme confirms our commitment to developing these services in an innovative way, to ensure that the work of the National Assembly and its proceedings are as accessible as possible to the people of Wales.”
The consultation period will continue throughout the summer and the draft Bill and Scheme are expected to be ready for the consideration of the National Assembly around the end of the year.
The draft Bill and Scheme can be found here.
If you wish to submit evidence, please send an electronic copy of your submission to BilingualServices@wales.gov.uk and entitle the email ‘Consultation-Bilingual Services’. Alternatively, you can write to: Bilingual Services Scheme Manager, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, CF99 1NA.
Submissions should arrive by 14 October 2011. It may not be possible to take into account responses received after this date. Comments and amendments will be considered by the Assembly Commission in the Autumn term prior to the introduction of the Bill for scrutiny.