To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of translating departmental publications into languages other than English was in 2005-06. (110203)

During 2005-06 the Department spent £186,765.28 translating publications into other languages.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much each primary care trust spent on translation services in each of the last three years. (114046)

Primary care trusts (PCTs) are not required to report their planned or actual spending on interpretation and translation services to the Department. When planning such services, PCTs should take due account of their legal duties, the composition of the communities they serve, and the needs and circumstances of their patients, service users and local populations.

The Government have established the independent Commission on Integration and Cohesion to look at Government policies and public services and to report in 2007. As part of its brief, the Commission will look at the provision of language services across Government. The Department will fully support the Commission in its work.