Final draft Welsh Language LCO is an obstacle on the road to full linguistic rightsWith the publication of the final draft of the Welsh language LCO, on the Welsh Language, Cymdeithas yr Iaith are disappointed that a 'socialist' Government has not acted to achieve equality for everyone in Wales who want to use the Welsh language and who wish to see the Welsh language a normal part of life in Wales.Even though strong evidence was submitted in favour of devolving full powers in relation to the Welsh language to the Assembly Government by Cymdeithas yr Iaith, the Celebrating our Language group of organisations and the Catalonian Government, who have included the private sector within their language, as well as constructive reports from the scrutiny committees, the LCO published has insufficient powers.

Menna Machreth, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg said:"The LCO does now include bus companies, which we argued should be included in the LCO along with train services. But, any future language measure resulting from this LCO will not give the people of Wales the right to use the language within the workplace, the right to Welsh medium services or the right to Welsh-medium education for their children. One either has a right to something or is denied that right; does the Government truly believe that it will be easier for the individual to use the Welsh language if they are expected to know which companies receive £400,000 public money in order to exercise their rights?"She continued:"The Wales Office and Welsh Assembly Government have decided to block the people of Wales from gaining access to the Welsh language. What difference will this measure do to the day-to-day lives of people in Wales? The Wales Office and Assembly Government prefer to please large corporations and anti-Welsh elements within the Labour Party instead of making a real difference to the Welsh language's status in Wales."Menna added:"Because the powers are so limited, there will be no way to give people in Wales full rights to the Welsh language as was promised in the One Wales agreement."Osian Jones from Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg will be sentenced to a month imprisonment in Pwllheli on November 6th for refusing to pay a fine after taking direct action against Boots, Superdrug, Matalan and PC World in Bangor earlier this year, as he feels he should have the right to Welsh language services at these stores. Osian will have no rights to use the Welsh language at these stores, even after a language measure is passed by the Welsh Assembly.