SIR,

I read with sympathy, R. Bradley's letter "Welsh language 'forced upon' us" (Beacon letters, 10th July 2013). The writer complains of the cost of this language being forced on a largely unwilling population.

The 2011 Census showed that less than three per cent of the population filled in the census form in Welsh. Even fewer than recorded in the 2001 Census.

What has not been made known is that politicians, of all parties, have signed up to compel use of this language whatever the implications for the population of Wales.

The Welsh Language Act 1993 clearly gave Welsh speakers the right to use their traditional language without facing discrimination. This is quite different than forcing the language on 97 per cent of a population who would rather speak English.

At a meeting, held in Chepstow, for people to ask questions of service providers, someone asked if it was true that doctors cannot be recruited into Welsh NHS because of language requirement. The answer was, 'Sorry we can't discss that'. The same question was put to the First Minister some months back; his response was, "We will train our own doctors and keep them in Wales". How? Does the socialist state of Wales plan to restrict movement of free people? Because of the language issue, the answer is the same, 'Sorry we can't discuss that'.

Welsh Government ministers admit that business investment in Wales is way below the rest of the UK. Why? 'Sorry we can't discuss that'. House prices are growing in all parts of the UK except Wales. Why? "Sorry we can't discuss that." Several MPs have raised questions about the Welsh economy and specifically expressed concerns that language policies are adversely affecting the wellbeing of people living in Wales. "Sorry we can't discuss that." There is now even a report declaring that church services will be delivered in the Welsh language.

The only growth industry in Wales is the imposition of a language onto an unwilling people. It's now more than a year since a Welsh language commissioner (at £95k pa) was appointed to promote use of the Welsh language, and nowhere in the brief is it required to be cautious about possible adverse unintended effects on health services, businesses and inward investment. Where is the business case for a language policy which prevents recruitment of doctors and inward investment for jobs?

When elected members hide behind a misinterpretation of an act of Parliament while Wales needs jobs, business investment, competitive schooling and a health service to compare with the rest of the UK, they are not worthy of their positions. Wales will remain a benefit dependency culture while voters accept the xenophobic priorities of Assembly Members who act against community interest.

Chepstow Councillor Roy Garner

(Bristol)

PS I am still elected councillor for Chepstow Town Council, I moved out of Wales largely because of language policies.