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MPs back assembly language powers MPs back assembly language powers
(about 2 hours later)
MPs have backed in favour of giving the Welsh assembly more powers to legislate on the Welsh language. MPs have backed giving the Welsh assembly more powers to legislate on the Welsh language.
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said he wanted to give the body the authority to make laws on the language. Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said he wanted to give the assembly the authority to make laws on the language.
He told MPs it played a "central, fundamental role" in society and it was right to now build on the "firm foundations" of the Welsh Language Act.He told MPs it played a "central, fundamental role" in society and it was right to now build on the "firm foundations" of the Welsh Language Act.
The Lords backed the move last week, and the powers will now go to the Queen for her final approval.The Lords backed the move last week, and the powers will now go to the Queen for her final approval.
The process, known as a legislative competence order (LCO), is the first stage in passing a Welsh law, or measure. Once a legislative competence order (LCO) has been approved, Assembly Members can then begin the process of drafting a new Welsh law, or measure.
MPs spoke for an hour and a half in the Westminster debate on Tuesday, mainly in favour of the legislation.MPs spoke for an hour and a half in the Westminster debate on Tuesday, mainly in favour of the legislation.
The nation's legislature is surely the national home for making laws in relation to the language Welsh Secretary Peter HainThe nation's legislature is surely the national home for making laws in relation to the language Welsh Secretary Peter Hain
Mr Hain said the order would allow the right balance to be struck between those who used Welsh as their mother tongue and the "large majority" in Wales - some 80% - who did not speak it.Mr Hain said the order would allow the right balance to be struck between those who used Welsh as their mother tongue and the "large majority" in Wales - some 80% - who did not speak it.
He said: "The nation's legislature is surely the national home for making laws in relation to the language."He said: "The nation's legislature is surely the national home for making laws in relation to the language."
But he warned: "No-one would like to see the private sector prevented from investing in Wales because of burdensome Welsh language duties being inappropriately imposed on business.But he warned: "No-one would like to see the private sector prevented from investing in Wales because of burdensome Welsh language duties being inappropriately imposed on business.
"What is right in respect of a large public authority need not be necessary be right for a smaller private sector company.""What is right in respect of a large public authority need not be necessary be right for a smaller private sector company."
Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said: "I want to see the language protected and nurtured, not resented or turned into a non-tariff barrier to business or consumer choice.Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said: "I want to see the language protected and nurtured, not resented or turned into a non-tariff barrier to business or consumer choice.
'Strong moral case''Strong moral case'
"If this order goes through there will be measures that flow from it and I hope that none of my fears are realised."If this order goes through there will be measures that flow from it and I hope that none of my fears are realised.
"I hope that particularly in these difficult economic times nothing is done to disadvantage Welsh businesses, Welsh consumers, Welsh families and most importantly the Welsh language itself.""I hope that particularly in these difficult economic times nothing is done to disadvantage Welsh businesses, Welsh consumers, Welsh families and most importantly the Welsh language itself."
For the Liberal Democrats, Mark Williams said: "This debate is not about the merits of the process it is about transferring powers to our assembly at their request."For the Liberal Democrats, Mark Williams said: "This debate is not about the merits of the process it is about transferring powers to our assembly at their request."
He added: "I can think of no other area of policy where there is such a strong moral case."He added: "I can think of no other area of policy where there is such a strong moral case."
Former Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy described the measure as a "milestone" for the Welsh language but urged AMs to "tread carefully", respecting the needs of different parts of the country and of business.Former Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy described the measure as a "milestone" for the Welsh language but urged AMs to "tread carefully", respecting the needs of different parts of the country and of business.
Plaid Cymru spokesman Hywel Williams said it was a "striking and radical step," and added: "I think we should rightly be proud of having taken it."Plaid Cymru spokesman Hywel Williams said it was a "striking and radical step," and added: "I think we should rightly be proud of having taken it."
The order was carried without a vote.The order was carried without a vote.