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Wednesday, 21 February, 2001, 11:40 GMT
Words that sparked a furore
![]() Simon Glyn's outburst has had much media attention
Plaid Cymru councillor Seimon Glyn could not have any idea of the controversy he was igniting when making those now-famous comments about English people moving into Wales.
The chairman of Gwynedd County Council's housing committee was taking part in a radio phone-in hosted by BBC Wales's Sarah Dickens. Mr Glyn prompted a flood of calls when he told the programme that the number of English people moving to Wales should be strictly monitored - and that they should be made to learn Welsh. His comments followed a report warning that traditional rural Welsh communities could die out because of rocketing house sales. Fears were said to be growing that local people simply could not afford the asking prices in places like Gwynedd. Nearly a third of all properties bought in the area during a 12-month period were sold to people moving into the county and some councillors called on the Welsh Assembly to back a scheme to give assistance to locals looking to buy homes. Mr Glyn's comments:
Although Mr Glyn subsequently issued an apology to anyone who might have been offended by his comments, he has since reiterated his stance. Speaking on BBC Wales current affairs programme, Week In Week Out, he told reporter Betsan Powys : "Nobody should have to defend themselves for highlighting issues to do with the language of their community, or the economic situation within the community, or the fact that the community is unable to absorb inward migration." Asked if he had had second thoughts about the words he used, he said, emphatically : "I don't regret it".
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