Earlier this month a legislative competence order (LCO) relating to the devolution of all powers to the Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru/Welsh Assembly Government on the Welsh language, was given the official backing by both UK Houses of Parliament.

Last Tuesday (15th December) Members of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons spoke for an hour and a half on the issue without the order even going to a vote. The week before the Commons debate, the House of Lords backed the LCO and now the order will be sent to the queen for her approval.

Once finally approved, the LCO on the Welsh language will mean that the Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru has the power to pass legislation known as an Assembly Measure (like and Act of Parliament in the UK) - enforceable by the courts. Consequently Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru can then begin drafting new Measures (or laws) relating to the Welsh language.

Previous to the passing of the LCO, the Westminster Government in London could draft laws on the Welsh language, making Welsh language protection and promotion developmentally vulnerable.

It is very unlikely that in the short term the Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru will draft new laws that will give the Welsh and English languages fair and equal parity in all spheres of everyday life in Wales, but it is likely that any new laws will cover public bodies and any company that receives public funds. Any laws are also likely to give more protection to employees to use the Welsh language in the work place. The extent that any new law takes into consideration private enterprise however, remains to be seen.

During the debate in the House of Commons, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said:

"What is right in respect of a large public authority need not be necessary be right for a smaller private sector company.

However, there are many people and organisations throughout Wales and beyond who would disagree with Mr Hain. Osian Jones, a Cymdeithas yr Iaith campaigner who this month was released from prison for painting Welsh language slogans on supermarkets in Wales, wrote to the new First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones, saying that the LCO had to be strengthened. Mr O Jones said in his letter:

"While I was in prison I wrote to Carwyn Jones urging him to dump the Legislative Competency Order and start again.

"Nothing proposed in it is already covered by the 1993 Welsh Language Act so its next to worthless. "If Mr Jones doesn't take the appropriate measures to strengthen the act and make private companies liable to comply with legislation, I don't think I will be the last person to spend time under lock and key."

Plaid Cymru's Hywel Williams said that the granting of the LCO was a "striking and radical step" and that "I think we should rightly be proud of having taken it."

The Celtic League submitted evidence in March 2009 to the House of Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee WASC, when it was first considering granting Wales the LCO. In their evidence, the League argued:

"We urge you to respect the linguistic heritage of the people of Wales and to ensure in your report that the LCO is not only fully upheld, but is in fact strengthened. The Celtic League see the LCO as an opportunity for the UK Government to show their support to the Welsh Assembly Government, under the devolved settlement, by allowing them to undertake their duty to the people of Wales to create a truly bilingual society that is equal and fair for all."

(Article compiled for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

27/12/09