In 2016 calls to reverse the ban on the speaking of Welsh in Parliamentary debate was refused on the premise of costs to tax-payers regarding translation. Between then and now, there has been a limited allowance for Cymraeg:
- “MPs have been able to speak Welsh when the Welsh grand committee has met in Wales, and the Welsh affairs select committee has taken evidence in Welsh at Westminster.” source
- From February 2018 “MPs have been speaking Welsh during a parliamentary debate for the first time at Westminster.” source
UPDATE:
As of last week, MPs will be given the chance to speak Welsh in parliamentary debates in the Palace of Westminster for the first time ever this year. source
“MPs will be allowed to speak Welsh in some parliamentary debates under UK government plans.
Ministers are to bring forward changes in Parliament enabling MPs to use the language when the Welsh Grand Committee meets in Westminster.
Currently, MPs can only speak Welsh in the Welsh Affairs select committee.”: source
The translation costs have been taken out of the equation because they are to come out of the standing budget.
When I was looking at articles related to this, I stumbled across this piece from October last year when Welsh MP Liz Saville-Roberts spoke Irish in the House of Commons making it the first time since 1901 that it had been heard in that place. Bless her cotton socks, I cried again.
Aran and Iestyn (and all of SSi staff and community) diolch o galon/ go raibh mile maith agat! Thank you’s will never be enough for seeing tongues kept wagging mellifluously.