Ref : 57/00

Date : 4 August 2000

Oftel has today set out its proposals to enable consumers in Wales to have access in Welsh to Oftel’s and the Welsh Advisory Committee on Telecommunications’ consumer publications and general consumer services.

Oftel’s proposals are contained in the consultation document ‘Oftel’s Welsh Language Scheme’ published today.

Proposed measures to meet the needs of Welsh language speakers include:

• improved arrangements for responding to phone calls and correspondence in Welsh;

• information leaflets published by Oftel to be made available in Welsh and English; and

• a commitment to provide translation arrangements, if requested, whenever public meetings in Wales are hosted by Oftel or the Welsh Advisory Committee for Telecommunications.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Oftel needs to be sure that Welsh speakers have access to Oftel’s principal publications and services in Welsh.

"Oftel’s Welsh Language Scheme sets out how we propose to ensure that the Welsh language is integrated into Oftel’s and the Welsh Advisory Committee on Telecommunications’ dealings with consumers in Wales.

"After we have taken into account the comments we receive, Oftel’s final Welsh Language Scheme will be submitted for approval to the Welsh Language Board."

Notes for Editors

1. The Scheme has been prepared in accordance with Section 21(3) of the Welsh Language Act 1993.

2. The Scheme is concerned with the conduct of Oftel’s business in Wales. Oftel’s main contact with the public is in dealing with consumer complaints on telecoms matters, and the publication of consultation and public information documents. The Director General’s duty to deal with complaints from consumers about telecoms services, is carried out on a day-to-day basis by the Secretary of the Welsh Advisory Committee on Telecommunications (WACT), on behalf of Oftel, for telecoms customers in Wales.

3. WACT has a small secretariat based in Cardiff. The committee is made up of members who are based in Wales and are appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The committee meets quarterly and gives advice to Oftel. WACT seeks to represent the views and concerns of telecoms consumers in Wales.

4. This consultation document is being published bilingually. It is being distributed widely to local authorities, public libraries, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Telecoms Operators, Welsh language publications, and other organisations in Wales. It can be found in both Welsh and English on Oftel’s web site at www.oftel.gov.uk/about/wla0800.htm. More information about WACT can be found at www.acts.org.uk.

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