Burnham cautiously welcomes welsh language decision

12.00.00am GMT Mon 2nd Feb 2009

Eleanor Burnham, Assembly Member for North Wales has cautiously welcomed the publication of the long-awaited Legislative Competence Order over the Welsh Language.

Eleanor, Welsh Lib Dem Shadow Minister for Culture said,

"We have been waiting for this promised piece of legislation for almost two years. It's about time the Labour-Plaid Government showed the courage of their convictions on our language. I just hope now that the Welsh Affairs Committee see fit to give the Welsh Assembly Government the power it deserves over use of the Welsh Language. It is ironic that even when it comes to our own language we are still dependent on decisions in London.

"This is an historic moment for the future of governance and culture in Wales, but although we are further down the road to equal status for the Welsh language there is still a long way to go yet. The content of the LCO is also a concern to me, particularly regarding the fact that the courts will not be included.

"The protracted and arduous process of LCOs illustrates precisely why Wales should have full law-making powers of its own."