The veteran Welsh language campaigner, Fred Fransis was released from prison last week (5th June) following his conviction on 1st June 2009 for refusing to pay a fine following a language rights protest in Cardiff eight years ago.

Mr Ffransis, who is an active member of the Welsh language society Cymdeithas Yr Iaith, said on his release that:

"The difficulty to receive any kind of forms or Welsh language service within Parc Prison shows clearly how silly it is to try and construct a very complex LCO that is only relevant to limited parts of the private sector. This prison is run by a private company for the benefit of the public sector. It's status under the law would be unclear, and this is only one example amongst thousands of potential difficulties.

It's quite obvious that the simple answer is to transfer ALL legislative rights for the Welsh language to the Assembly through the LCO. Then we can have a democratic discussion in the National Assembly about how these new rights should be used. We call on the National Assembly to make a simple announcement about this tomorrow."

The Welsh Language Legislative Competence Order (LCO) is one of the key elements of the `One Wales' agreement between the coalition parties - Plaid and Labour and is the first stage in passing a Welsh law (measure), which seeks to give the assembly government more powers over the Welsh language. If passed in its entirety, the LCO would give the WAG the right to legislate over matters concerning the Welsh language and would compel some private companies to treat the Welsh and English language equally.

However, before the LCO is approved it has to be scrutinised by both the Welsh assembly and Westminster. There was a consultation process that the League engaged in and a report on the issue is due out later this year.

Cymdeithas Yr Iaith does not believe that the LCO goes far enough and thinks that it should be extended to include all private business.

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

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

12/06/09

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