In response to the results of a recent survey by the BBC's Dragon's Eye programme which claimed that very few Welsh speakers utilised Welsh language Services in the public and private sectors, Cymdeithas yr Iaith argue that this provides definite proof of the need for a new Welsh Language Act. Cymdeithas believe that the tokenistic and random services offered by a few companies and institutions, such as those named in the survey, mean that it is often easier to accept the English language service rather than insisting on a Welsh language service.

The Society's National Campaign Officer, Sioned Haf said:"The reason why people do not use the Welsh language services available is because the services across the private sector are random and unreliable, and our expectations as Welsh people of what is available in Welsh are very low. If a New Welsh language Act ensured high quality services, of the same quality and accessibility as those in English, then these figures would rise substantially.Very often these companies have only one Welsh speaker in their offices to answer your call, if that person is away, or does not have a speciality in your field of enquiry, then you do not have a viable Welsh language service. Such people then accept the English language service, which is much less hassle."Hywel Griffiths Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith said:" The root of the problem is the fact that people receive the Welsh language service as some kind of optional extra, rather than the Welsh language service being provided as a matter of basic right: e.g. it is claimed that 1% ask for service in Welsh from the Principality, but English speakers receive the service in their own language automatically without having to go out of their way to ask.""What is suggested in the survey is comparable to a shop placing a line of toys on a high shelf behind the counter in a locked room, and then complained that sales in that line were low.""The CBI's claim that business is driven by customer power alone is wrong – other rights such as the minimum wage or the right of workers to join a union are basic rights provided by political will. The right to receive Welsh language services should be treated in exactly the same way."A number of proposals to do with a New Welsh language Act, including calls on the private sector, will be discussed at Cymdeithas yr Iaith's Annual Meeting at 10am in the Morlan Centre in Aberystwyth on Saturday the 2nd of February.