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Lord Roberts of Conwy dies, aged 83 Lord Roberts of Conwy dies, aged 83
(35 minutes later)
Lord Roberts of Conwy has died at the age of 83.Lord Roberts of Conwy has died at the age of 83.
He piloted the Welsh Language Act in 1983 and as Wyn Roberts served as Conservative MP for Conwy from 1970 until his retirement from the House of Commons in 1997.He piloted the Welsh Language Act in 1983 and as Wyn Roberts served as Conservative MP for Conwy from 1970 until his retirement from the House of Commons in 1997.
More follows During 18 years of government, he was the longest-serving minister in the same department.
Welsh Secretary David Jones called him "an extraordinary man" and a "powerful exponent" of the Welsh language.
The non conformist minister's son from Anglesey turned to politics after starting his career in journalism.
After Margaret Thatcher won the 1979 election, Wyn Roberts was made Welsh Office minister and his responsibilities included the Welsh language.
He never made it into the cabinet but served under four Secretaries of State and two prime ministers.
He became Baron Roberts of Conwy when he retired as an MP in 1997 and was as an opposition spokesman on Welsh affairs in the Lords until 2007.
Lord Roberts leaves a wife, Enid - who he married in 1956 - and sons Huw and Geraint. His son Rhys died in 2004.
Welsh Secretary David Jones called him "the greatest Welshman of his generation."
"The greatest of his many political achievements was the Welsh Language Act, which gave full and proper recognition in public life to the language of which he was such a masterful and powerful exponent, and which he loved so much," said Mr Jones.
He said this was his "personal achievement" and marked him as "doing more for Welsh cultural life than any man of his generation."
Mr Jones added that Lord Roberts was "an extraordinary man, very kind, extremely wise with a tremendous sense humour."
"To me, he was a kind friend and wise counsellor. He will be greatly missed, both in Wales and in Westminster."