asked Her Majesty's Government:
What consideration they are giving to the routine collection of data relating to interpretation and translation services used in court. [HL4050]
The routine collection of data relating to interpretation and translation services at court is being considered by Her Majesty's Courts Service as part of wider work on interpreting and translation in the criminal justice system, being led by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to ensure transparency in the provision of interpretation and translation services used in court. [HL4051]
The national agreement on arrangements for the use of interpreters, translators and language service professionals in investigations and proceedings within the criminal justice system, revised in January 2007, and also the terms and conditions for individuals providing face-to-face interpreting services at court, introduced in February 2007, are available to the public via the HMCS website. These documents give detailed information on the procedures adopted by Her Majesty's Courts Service for the provision and payment of interpretation and translation services used in court.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to ensure that those on the National Register of Public Service Interpreters are used in criminal proceedings wherever possible; and [HL4052]
Whether the standard of interpreting used in criminal proceedings is being maintained at a suitable level. [HL4053]
In January this year, the Office for Criminal Justice Reform issued revised guidance on arrangements for the use of interpreters and translators in the criminal justice system, aimed at ensuring that only suitably qualified interpreters and translators are used in criminal proceedings. The guidance stipulates that every interpreter working in courts and police stations should be registered on one of the recommended registers; that is, the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI) or the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP). We believe that NRPSI continues to represent an appropriate standard for interpreting in criminal proceedings. I have placed a copy of the guidance in the Library.