Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

As someone who had a lot to do with the Welsh Language Act 1993—that seems a very long time ago—I feel that I must say a word about this amendment. What the amendment specifically requires is that regulations should refer to the matter of the desirability of the commissioner being a Welsh speaker. It is not a matter for us to insist on but a matter for the Assembly to decide. The amendment, quite properly, expresses that it is desirable for the commissioner to speak Welsh, and I agree very much with that; but there is a considerable difference in practice between expressing a desirability of that kind and expressing a necessity. I do not believe that a lack of the particular skill in the Welsh language should necessarily debar a person from holding that office. After all, if he has sufficient linguistic ability, he could learn Welsh—as so many have done in recent years, even in office; and, of course, he can always employ persons who are Welsh speakers. So I believe that the amendment is right in that it emphasises desirability as opposed to necessity and leaves the matter to the discretion of the Assembly.