THOMAS COOK AND THE WELSH LANGUAGE

Early day motion 1667, tabled 11 June 2007 by Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 37 members.

That this House is surprised that Thomas Cook, the second biggest travel agency in Europe and a world-wide leader in the industry, flying to over 1,000 destinations all over the world, should think it necessary and proper to ban its staff in Wales from discussing business in Welsh; supports the workers who oppose the ban; notes that this ban does not extend to selling holidays to Welsh-speaking customers; believes that the company has entirely misread the public mood in Wales; predicts that their action will lead to a loss of business both from the ever growing number of Welsh speakers and from potential customers all over the world who oppose and ridicule petty oppressions; and furthermore holds that in this case travel clearly does not broaden the mind.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 11, Scottish National Party 6, Plaid Cymru 3, Independent 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Respect 1.