Ref: 69/02
Date: 03 December 2002

Oftel has today set out how it will ensure that Welsh consumers have access in Welsh to Oftel's publications and services.

Oftel's Welsh Language Scheme confirms Oftel's commitment to provide a high quality service for Welsh speaking consumers.

It will ensure that Oftel meets requirements under the Welsh Language Act for public authorities to draw up a scheme and to treat the English and Welsh languages equally.

Key commitments of the scheme include:

• to recruit a Welsh speaker to the Consumer Representation Section to deal directly with consumers wishing to speak in Welsh;
• provision of translation facilities at public meetings hosted in Wales by Oftel or the Welsh Advisory Committee on Telecommunications;
• regular monitoring of Welsh language provision in relation to needs and satisfaction levels of Welsh speakers.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Oftel will ensure that Welsh speakers have access to its publications and services in Welsh.

"The publication of our Welsh Language Scheme backs up our commitment to ensure that in carrying out public business in Wales we will give equal weight to the Welsh and English languages.

"The recent appointment of a Welsh speaker to our consumer enquiries team will enable Welsh speakers to resolve a query or complaint in their own language."

Oftel's Welsh Language Scheme will remain a working document that will be reviewed regularly and revised where appropriate.

Notes to editors

Oftel's Welsh Language Scheme is available on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/about_oftel/2002/wls1202.htm

Hard copies in both Welsh and English are available to the media from the Press Office on 020 7634 8991 and to the public from the Research and Information Unit on 020 7634 8761.

The Welsh Language Scheme is available in Welsh on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/welsh/index.htm.