PQs - 23rd February 2012

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2012-02-23b.96186.h

23 Feb 2012

Translation Services

Justice

Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he made prior to initiation of the new contract of the ability of Applied Language Solutions to meet the needs of the courts service

Crispin Blunt (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Prisons and Probation), Justice; Reigate, Conservative)

Applied Language Solutions took part in a robust and rigorous procurement process. The dialogue process ensured that all bidders had an understanding of the interpretation and translation needs of justice organisations. Ministry of Justice officials worked closely with Applied Language Solutions to seek to ensure that the supplier was in a position to meet the Ministry's needs. This included early implementation of the service in criminal courts in the north west in December 2011. That early implementation was successful and gave no indication of the issues which have arisen since full implementation on the 30 January 2012, which are being addressed.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2012-02-23b.96185.h

23 Feb 2012

Translation Services

Justice

Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many court sessions were (a) delayed and (b) cancelled due to problems with the provision of translators by Applied Language Solutions in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Prisons and Probation), Justice; Reigate, Conservative)

Figures are not currently available on the number of court hearings delayed or cancelled as result of problems with interpreters. There were an unacceptable number of problems in the first two weeks of full implementation of the contract after 30 January 2012, following a smoothly implemented new service in the North West pilot area during the previous two months. Close monitoring of the national roll out has ensured that an action plan to address the problems was in place within two weeks of the new interpreter service commencing on a national basis. This plan includes providing additional staff to deal with bookings, further targeted recruitment of interpreters in key languages and improvements to the call handling and complaints process. We remain committed to ensuring the rights and needs of those who require interpreters are safeguarded.