Cymdeithas yr Iaith has expressed its disappointment that a key meeting to discuss the Language LCO has been postponed. Peter Hain had announced that the Welsh Grand Committee would meet on July 8th to discuss the Assembly's request to devolve the power to legislate on the Welsh language to Wales, even though such a meeting isn't necessary. Yesterday it was announced that this meeting will be postponed because the Welsh Affairs Committee wants Welsh MP's to have more time to consider their report (as yet unpublished) before they meet.Cymdeithas yr Iaith is worried that the Welsh Affairs Committee is trying to stall the process, and that the Welsh Office is placing more obstacles in the way of the LCO, to ensure that it doesn't reach the Statute Book before the General Election. If the LCO does not reach the Statute Book before the General Election, the present plans will fall, and the scrutinising process at Westminster will have to begin all over again. This would, in Cymdeithas' view, be totally unacceptable and clearly shows the flaws in the present system.Bethan Williams, Chair of Cymdeithas' Language Act Campaign Group says:"We were already concerned that the Welsh Affairs Committee would drag its heels on this matter, and that those who oppose the request would try to postpone the process until after the General Election, which would mean the scrutinising process having to start all over again at Westminster. Peter Hain's decision to insist that the matter is discussed at the Welsh Grand Committee, and then the fact that the meeting has been postponed confirms that concern. Cymdeithas yr Iaith, together with a number of other movements, has presented irrefutable evidence to the Committee at the Assembly and at Westminster of the need to devolve all powers over the Welsh language to Wales, but the Welsh Affairs Committee and the Wales Office are still trying to stall the process."

Cymdeithas yr Iaith have asked for a meeting with Peter Hain to discuss the matter and to ask him to urge the Welsh Affairs Committee to release their report immediately. Cymdeithas believe that the Welsh Affairs Committee has had ample time to consider the evidence. The Committee at the Assembly published their report weeks ago and the Welsh Affairs Committee has no excuse to delay matters further.Bethan Williams added:"Unfortunately Peter Hain has announced that he doesn't have the time to meet with us to discuss our concerns. We have urged him to reconsider. We call on him to meet with us in order to ensure that this process is finalised as soon as possible. The sooner the Welsh Affairs Committee publish its report, and the Welsh Grand Committee hold its meeting, the sooner the process can go ahead, and the powers can be transferred to their rightful place, here in Wales."