SIR,

My attention has been drawn to the correspondence in your newspaper about the position of Monmouthshire and the Welsh language.

I was born in the 'old' Monmouthshire, in what is now Torfaen, when the county was legally not in Wales. Everything relevant was designated for 'Wales and Monmouthshire'.

Returning on retirement to live in the 'new' Monmouthshire I am struck by the Englishness of the county now that the eastern valleys have been removed.

There does seem to this observer to be very little point in Monmouthshire being part of Wales and I suspect that the Welsh Assembly feels the same way.

In particular I am very concerned by the amount of money spent on promoting the Welsh language.

Your correspondent in the 25th September edition is, I think, mistaken in believing that the cost of the Welsh language is minimal.

The printing cost may be minimal but I understand that the cost of translation and promotion consumes a worryingly large percentage of the Welsh budget.

He is also mistaken, I think, in stating that the use of Welsh is on the increase among the young.

They certainly have to be taught Welsh but the census returns will tell you that the general use is falling.

We were not consulted when we were incorporated into Wales, I wonder if we should be asked if we wish to remain considering the ever-increasing powers of the Assembly?

Geoffrey CE Sumner

(Chepstow)