asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much money has been spent on translation services for non-English speaking citizens of the United Kingdom each year since 1997. [HL2685]

The Government have not made an estimate of the amount spent on translation services for non-English speaking citizens of the United Kingdom. Individual public bodies are accountable for this spend, but the Government are committed to working with them to look at the issue and consider balancing this to give a greater focus on promoting community cohesion. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government therefore has asked the Commission on Integration and Cohesion to consider this issue as part of its final report due in June 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to review the adequacy and effectiveness of money being spent on translation services, in light of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's aim that all citizens living in Great Britain should speak English. [HL2686]

Earlier this year, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government asked the Commission on Integration and Cohesion to consider this issue as part of its final report in June 2007. The commission, in its interim statement published in February, said that it intended to provide further information alongside its final report on the key questions local authorities should be asking before making decisions as to what to translate. The Government will decide how to take this issue forward once they receive the commission's advice.