Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg - The Welsh Language Society, will be taking a clear message to the Welsh Affairs Committee in London next Monday, that all powers to legislate for the Welsh language are devolved from London to Wales, without any restrictions. The deputation on behalf of the Society, will present new evidence, that proves the inequalities that exist within current Welsh language services, along with proof that there is a pressing desire by the people of Wales to be allowed the right to legislate in the field of the language within Wales.Menna Machreth, Chairperson of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg said:"We will be emphasising that the right to legislate over the Welsh language are transferred completely from London to Wales. We will also make the case that the scope of the LCO draft should be expanded, ensuring that we have enough powers in Wales to legislate upon suppliers of goods, services and public utilities within Wales as we see fit in the future. We do not want to return time after time to London, to ask for more powers when the time will come to legislate in Wales following further linguistic developments in the future, which is certain to happen over the next few decades."Cymdeithas Evidence to Welsh Affairs Select Committee (PDF - English)Cymdeithas Evidence to Welsh Assembly Committee (PDF - Welsh)

The Legislative Competence Order contains many clauses that impedes upon the full right to legislate for the language in the future. It will not be possible to create a language measure that ensures that supermarket chains, bus companies, banks and tax companies operate bilingually in Wales. Furthermore, language rights have not been included in the Order, despite the clear pledge in the One Wales paper to do so.Menna concludes:"We will insist that there is a clear emphasis on the right to use the Welsh language within every aspect of life in Wales The right to education through the Welsh language and the right to use the language in the workplace is central to this point. We will also be presenting evidence that disproves the CBI's suggestion that large companies will leave Wales, if there is legislation implemented to ensure that bilingual services are expected under a New Welsh Language Measure. We believe that the opposite is true, and that a comprehensive language Measure will be advantageous to the Welsh economy, with more businesses establishing branches and offices in Wales, to cater to the requirements of this new legislation."The evidence will be presented on behalf of Cymdeithas by Menna Machreth (Chair), Sioned Haf (Campaigns Officer) and Sian Howys (Policy Officer).The umbarella language group, representing 17 national groups in Wales, Mudiadau Dathlu'r Gymraeg - Celebrating Our Language, will also be giving evidence.