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03 October 2007
(Click here for Welsh version)
Y Byd - a Question in the Assembly
The Welsh Assembly Government, as outlined in the coalition document ‘One Wales’, has made a commitment to support a Welsh language daily newspaper. This week (October 2) the matter was discussed in the Assemblly chamber for the first time, as the Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas made a statement about his priorities. Paul Davies, the Conservative AM raised the matter with the Minister following his statement.
Paul Davies AM, Conservative:
“I welcome the announcement today that he, like me, wants to create a bilingual Wales, by giving Welsh official-language status and establishing a language commissioner. I also welcome an increase in spending on Welsh-language newspapers and magazines. However, ‘One Wales’ mentions the establishment of a Welsh-language daily newspaper but that is absent from this statement. Will he commit the Government to supporting a Welsh-language daily newspaper? As he is probably aware, a Welsh-language daily newspaper called Y Byd is currently in the process of being set up. If he supports this newspaper, will he give an assurance that it will receive financial support and give us an indication of how much that will be?”
Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, Heritage Minister:
“...again, I welcome your comments on the Welsh language. You referred specifically to support for a daily newspaper in Welsh - yes, we are committed to supporting the establishment of such a paper. You referred to Y Byd, but if we were to support a daily newspaper, we obviously could not direct all our support towards one particular paper - it would have to go out to tender, and other applicants would have to be given the opportunity, if they so wished, to try to gain access to that funding. You asked about a specific sum; I see that the Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery is here, and I am still negotiating that particular sum of money with him and his officials. Ultimately, it will be a Cabinet decision as to the money that goes towards a daily newspaper in Wales. However, the commitment is there - we are committed to supporting the establishment of a daily newspaper in Welsh.”
Click here to read the full record of the statment and the debate
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Ned Thomas, Chair, Dyddiol Cyf.
on 01970 622990 or neges@ybyd.com
