Welsh Affairs

I was very happy to give way to the architect of ““new Plaid””, and I do think that he had some very positive and important things to say. I am sure that they will be listened to by Ministers, because these problems will not be solved unless we all work together. I do recognise that that is an important point to make. One of the vital strengths of the Welsh economy is the readiness of our companies, both large and small, to use flexibility and to make and take opportunities for enterprise and innovation. Although we have made great strides in encouraging people to establish businesses in Wales—Wales is still a great place to invest and to grow a business—there is much to do. We have to believe that we are going to come through this economic downturn. That belief is important to our future. Our economy will grow and our standards of living will improve, but we must be cautious about putting up what some may say could be barriers to investment. Here, of course, I am referring to the proposed Welsh language legislative competence order, which will be considered by this House in the coming months. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State referred to a BBC reporter's blog; it is good to see that the licence payer's money is being used to help BBC journalists in Cardiff to promote their own political prejudices. We all know the BBC and its prejudices. That LCO could be the biggest shot in the arm for the Welsh language in modern times, so I welcome the announcements by the Secretary of State for Wales and the First Minister, who have promised the widest possible consultation. Certainly, for my part, I am content that the Welsh Assembly should have the responsibility for dealing with matters relating to the language, but such a power, should it be given, must be exercised in the interests of all Welsh men and women—the 20 per cent. who are bilingual and the 80 per cent. who are not. In the coming months, I intend to ask a number of questions about the LCO, because it is not simply about the Welsh language; it will have an impact on our economy. Macro-economic policy is not devolved, and we have a proper duty and a right in this place to ask questions.