A proposal to award a medal annually to a person bringing credit to Wales has been abandoned by the Welsh assembly.
A proposal to award a medal annually to a person bringing credit to Wales has been abandoned by the Welsh assembly.
Blaming the "current economic climate" the Assembly Commission said it was not an appropriate time to introduce the "Medal Cymru", as it had been called.
Blaming the "current economic climate" the Assembly Commission said it was not an appropriate time to introduce the "Medal Cymru", as it had been called.
Calls for a separate Welsh honours system parallel to those issued by the Queen were previously rejected.
Calls for a separate Welsh honours system parallel to those issued by the Queen were previously rejected.
The petitions committee said it would gather views from the public on an honours system for Wales.
The petitions committee said it would gather views from the public on an honours system for Wales.
In a statement, the commission said: "In recent months, some work has been done to explore the possibility of creating an award to recognise special achievements by people in Wales.
In a statement, the commission said: "In recent months, some work has been done to explore the possibility of creating an award to recognise special achievements by people in Wales.
The proposed 'Welsh honours' Medal Cymru scheme has been scrapped.
The proposed 'Welsh honours' Medal Cymru scheme has been scrapped.
"One option under consideration was that the National Assembly could honour one individual per year to recognise exceptional service for someone who has brought credit to Wales (the working title for this was "Medal Cymru").
"One option under consideration was that the National Assembly could honour one individual per year to recognise exceptional service for someone who has brought credit to Wales (the working title for this was "Medal Cymru").
"At their meeting this month, the Assembly Commission concluded that, particularly given the current economic climate, it would not be an appropriate time to introduce such an award."
"At their meeting this month, the Assembly Commission concluded that, particularly given the current economic climate, it would not be an appropriate time to introduce such an award."
It added the petitions committee had a "number of ideas" to gather views from the public on having an honours system for Wales, and assembly staff would be working on them with this.
It added the petitions committee had a "number of ideas" to gather views from the public on having an honours system for Wales, and assembly staff would be working on them with this.
Dame Tanni Grey-Thomspon, who sits on the UK sports' honours committee, has previously said it would a "lovely idea" to have a medal but would not want to be the one deciding who received it.
Dame Tanni Grey-Thomspon, who sits on the UK sports' honours committee, has previously said it would a "lovely idea" to have a medal but would not want to be the one deciding who received it.
What do you think of the commission's decision not to introduce a "Medal Cymru?" Send your views using the form below.
What do you think of the commission's decision not to introduce a "Medal Cymru?"
Wot, no TAFTA?Patrick Brompton, Cardiff
Wot, no TAFTA?Patrick Brompton, Cardiff
We need a proper honours system for Wales to replace the outdated and discredited UK one where recipients have to go on bended knee to the monarchy. Awards based on the people`s choice will have far more value. A Medal Cymru should be at the top of a series of awards.Huw, Welling, England
We need a proper honours system for Wales to replace the outdated and discredited UK one where recipients have to go on bended knee to the monarchy. Awards based on the people`s choice will have far more value. A Medal Cymru should be at the top of a series of awards.Huw, Welling, England
Even thinking about that daft idea must have cost public money. What a stinker it was. Utter Pants. Thank goodness common sense prevailed.David, Cardiff Wales
Even thinking about that daft idea must have cost public money. What a stinker it was. Utter Pants. Thank goodness common sense prevailed.David, Cardiff Wales
Our so-called "honours" system is badly tainted because, in effect, it's only there for royalists.
Our so-called "honours" system is badly tainted because, in effect, it's only there for royalists.
If you are republican-minded (a hefty chunk of the Welsh, according to some opinion polls) and can't bring yourself to abandon your principles, then you won't qulaify, no matter how deserved the honour.
If you are republican-minded (a hefty chunk of the Welsh, according to some opinion polls) and can't bring yourself to abandon your principles, then you won't qulaify, no matter how deserved the honour.
It is is high time Wales had it's own honours system - and let it be only only for the truly deserving. No royalist sycophants and no time servers. Sue Davies, Cardiff
It is is high time Wales had it's own honours system - and let it be only only for the truly deserving. No royalist sycophants and no time servers. Sue Davies, Cardiff
