Fifth Sitting (morning). Written evidence reported to the House. Clause 1 under consideration when the Committee adjourned till this day at One o'clock.

Fifth Sitting (morning). Written evidence reported to the House. Clause 1 under consideration when the Committee adjourned till this day at One o'clock.

Letter dated 09/06/2009 from Vera Baird MP to Joe Benton MP and Ann Winterton MP regarding Government amendments to the Equality Bill 2008-09. 5 p.

Letter dated 09/06/2009 from Vera Baird MP to Joe Benton MP and Ann Winterton MP regarding Government amendments to the Equality Bill 2008-09. 5 p.

Fourth Sitting (afternoon). Examination of witnesses. Adjourned till Thursday 11 June at Nine o'clock.

Fourth Sitting (afternoon). Examination of witnesses. Adjourned till Thursday 11 June at Nine o'clock.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on welsh language text on identity cards.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on welsh language text on identity cards.

I very much agree with the hon. Lady. She is a former teacher, and she expressed concisely and clearly her frustrations at the inability to get the issue of languages addressed on the cards. Does she share my concern about the timetable and the assertion that we will not hear...

I very much agree with the hon. Lady. She is a former teacher, and she expressed concisely and clearly her frustrations at the inability to get the issue of languages addressed on the cards. Does she share my concern about the timetable and the assertion that we will not hear...

Indeed I do, which is why I asked why we had to think about fitting something on to the card when we could have designed the card to fit the purpose. I share the hon. Gentleman's disappointment, but I look forward to better things in future.

Indeed I do, which is why I asked why we had to think about fitting something on to the card when we could have designed the card to fit the purpose. I share the hon. Gentleman's disappointment, but I look forward to better things in future.

One other important way of expanding the use of Welsh is through television and radio. The 1967 Act laid the foundations for Radio Cymru and S4C. They were important landmarks that came out of that Act. Does my hon. Friend agree that that is important for the whole cultural spirit...

One other important way of expanding the use of Welsh is through television and radio. The 1967 Act laid the foundations for Radio Cymru and S4C. They were important landmarks that came out of that Act. Does my hon. Friend agree that that is important for the whole cultural spirit...

Absolutely. If we talk about the modern context, it is far more important to be able to say and hear something than to be able to write it down. As for influencing people's lives, the development of radio and TV has been immensely important. It provides the opportunity to use...

Absolutely. If we talk about the modern context, it is far more important to be able to say and hear something than to be able to write it down. As for influencing people's lives, the development of radio and TV has been immensely important. It provides the opportunity to use...

I am grateful to have the opportunity to raise this important issue today. I am pleased to see my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) and the hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mark Williams). This week, we have had the publication of the Welsh language legislative competence order,...

I am grateful to have the opportunity to raise this important issue today. I am pleased to see my hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) and the hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mark Williams). This week, we have had the publication of the Welsh language legislative competence order,...

It is a great pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) and I congratulate her on securing this important debate. As she indicated, we follow two very important figures not only in Welsh politics, but in British politics: Jim Griffiths, a former deputy leader of...

It is a great pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) and I congratulate her on securing this important debate. As she indicated, we follow two very important figures not only in Welsh politics, but in British politics: Jim Griffiths, a former deputy leader of...

I am very pleased to hear that. Does the hon. Gentleman agree with the hon. Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) that the Welsh learners—the people who have moved to Wales and feel passionately about the language—are a very important lobby that needs to be considered? It is important to take...

I am very pleased to hear that. Does the hon. Gentleman agree with the hon. Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) that the Welsh learners—the people who have moved to Wales and feel passionately about the language—are a very important lobby that needs to be considered? It is important to take...

On a personal note, I had to learn Welsh. My mother came from the capital of north Wales—Liverpool—and the language spoken at home was English. I missed out somewhat, but my mother contributed a great deal to Welsh society. She could not speak Welsh fluently but could write it and...

On a personal note, I had to learn Welsh. My mother came from the capital of north Wales—Liverpool—and the language spoken at home was English. I missed out somewhat, but my mother contributed a great deal to Welsh society. She could not speak Welsh fluently but could write it and...

I appreciate the Minister's saying that she is willing to consult local authorities and examine what they are doing. Will she agree to meet me and colleagues from Wales and the Welsh Language Board to see how those early cards for driving licences were introduced?

I appreciate the Minister's saying that she is willing to consult local authorities and examine what they are doing. Will she agree to meet me and colleagues from Wales and the Welsh Language Board to see how those early cards for driving licences were introduced?

I am certainly happy to do that if we can get it in fairly quickly, but I know that officials are already having discussions. In fact, the issue was first raised with me when I was at a roadshow in Cardiff about what identity cards would mean. People there were...

I am certainly happy to do that if we can get it in fairly quickly, but I know that officials are already having discussions. In fact, the issue was first raised with me when I was at a roadshow in Cardiff about what identity cards would mean. People there were...

It is a pleasure, as ever, to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. Hancock. I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) for securing this debate on the important issue of the inclusion of Welsh text on UK identity cards. It is fitting that we are...

It is a pleasure, as ever, to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. Hancock. I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) for securing this debate on the important issue of the inclusion of Welsh text on UK identity cards. It is fitting that we are...