Government statement on WLB - Mike German comment

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Apr 2006

The latest update from Alun Pugh on the bungled dissolution of the Welsh Language Board is more evidence of the Minister's "improv style" of culture policy.

The claim was made this morning by Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, in response to an Assembly Government's position statement on the merger of the Language Board with the Assembly Government.

Mr German said: "It is clear the Minister has not thought through the implications of dissolving the Language Board. A summer commitment to consider what amendments to the Language Act are needed is evidence of the failure to plan properly. Alun Pugh has failed to realise that he can't play fast and loose with the vital issue of safeguarding and promoting the Welsh language.

"Last year he wanted a bill to establish a regulator, and then he decided he didn't; now he says that we need one but he's in no rush. As it stands when the Language Board is abolished next year, there will be no statutory regulator to properly safeguard and promote the language. The Government's answer is to retain a residual body of the Language Board until a Dyfarnydd is set-up. Alun Pugh's bright spark of an idea seems to undermine the aim of his quango bonfire.

"In improv theatre, the actors are asked to perform 'in the style of'. It seems that Mr Pugh is following the instruction to be a Minister in the style of Bungle from Rainbow. A bungling style of failing to think policies through, endangering the consensus on language issues and provoking a backlash amongst the arts and culture community.

"A charter of Welsh Language rights is a step in the right direction. We wait to see what real impact this proposes to have. Retaining the body of expertise on language issues within the new culture department is more welcome that diluting and dispersing that experience. Ensuring cross-cutting promotion of the language has to be a priority for the Government."