14 Nov 2011
Applied Language Solutions
Justice
Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice
(1) what assessment his Department has made of the compliance of Applied Language Solutions with Principle 8 of Schedule 1 to the Data Protection Act 1998 in respect of storage of translators' personal details and communication of information relating to the investigation of criminal offences; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether Applied Language Solutions has a (a) data centre and (b) call centre in India;
(3) if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's contract with Applied Language Solutions;
(4) what assessment his Department has made of the (a) use of mezzanine funding, (b) creditors amounts falling due within one year and (c) general financial viability of Applied Language Solutions prior to awarding it a contract for translation services; and if he will make a statement.
Crispin Blunt (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Prisons and Probation), Justice; Reigate, Conservative)
Applied Learning Solutions (ALS) were assessed to ensure compliance with data protection regulations during the pre-qualification stage of the competition. All ALS offices, wherever their location, meet the requirements of data protection. Schedule 4 of the DPA is explicit that the Principle 8 does not apply when “The data subject has given his consent to the transfer”. The terms and conditions of registration as a linguist with Applied Language Solutions (ALS) provide for positive consent to personal data being shared across ALS's offices, irrespective of location and this is explicitly stated. Any linguist that agrees to these terms and conditions has given permission for their details to be shared outside of the EEA.
Applied Language Solutions does have a data centre and call centre in India.
A redacted copy of the framework agreement is available in the public domain on the Business Link Contracts Finder website at the following address:
The Ministry of Justice assesses the use of mezzanine funding dependent upon circumstances. In the case of ALS it was considered that their funding and financial position was and remains consistent with a striving, young company which, with appropriate financial aid provided by the mezzanine funding mechanism, is able to provide innovative and technical solutions. The assessment of creditors falling due within one year is nil. The general financial assessment of the company was considered during the pre-qualification stage of the tender process. This involved looking at available financial and other information and was entirely in keeping with usual practice.
14 Nov 2011
Criminal Proceedings: Translation Services
Justice
Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice
(1) what criteria will be used to decide in which tier interpreter and translation will be placed under the new system for delivery of interpreters and translators services in the criminal justice system;
(2) what estimate he has made of the (a) hourly, (b) daily rate of pay for interpreter and translators within (i) tier 1, (ii) tier 2 and (iii) tier 3 of the new system for delivery of interpreters and translators services in the criminal justice system;
(3) whether he expects the number of interpreters and translators on the National Register of Public Service Interpreters to increase following changes to the system for delivery of interpreters and translators services in the criminal justice system;
(4) when he expects to withdraw from the national agreement on arrangements for the use of interpreters, translators and language service professionals in investigations and proceedings within the criminal justice system.
Crispin Blunt (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Prisons and Probation), Justice; Reigate, Conservative)
Under the new system, assignment into tiers for foreign language interpreters is dependent on a range of criteria including the qualifications and experience possessed by the individual and their assessment centre performance. I understand that Middlesex university will carry out those assessments independent of the Ministry of Justice and the supplier, using marking criteria which assesses an interpreter's coherence, accuracy, fluency and ability to convey the speakers intended effect. There is no tiering for translators.
Rates of pay are a matter between the supplier and individual linguist. However I understand the hourly rate of pay for foreign language interpreters to be £22 for Tier 1, £20 for Tier 2 and £16 for Tier 3. Travel allowances may be payable with the agreement of the supplier. Translators will continue to be paid by the word, as they are at present.
It is a matter for individual interpreters and translators as to whether they wish to register with the National Register of Public Service Interpreters. This register is entirely independent of Government. However, ensuring interpretation and translation is of the appropriate quality and widening the available pool of interpreters are fundamental elements of this reform, and have always been so. Under the Framework Agreement the supplier will be required to increase the numbers of appropriately qualified interpreters available for use by the justice sector generally, but particularly in relation to those languages and areas of the country where coverage is currently insufficient to meet operational needs. They will also be required to plan, for future language demand. This will ensure that we have interpreters in the languages we need, in the areas we need them. There are no current concerns about the number of available translators.
A move to the Framework Agreement will probably render the National Agreement redundant and we expect to withdraw it in due course, but a date has not been fixed. In the short-term parts of the National Agreement will be disapplied to organisations with contracts under the MOJ Framework Agreement.
14 Nov 2011
Administration of Justice: Translation Services
Justice
Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he plans to take to maintain quality standards under the new system for the delivery of interpreter and translation services across the criminal justice system.
Crispin Blunt (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Prisons and Probation), Justice; Reigate, Conservative)
The Framework Agreement we have signed is clear about the quality standards that are expected, including qualifications, experience and vetting. It requires the collection of detailed and meaningful management information, uses comprehensive key performance indicators, and will be properly managed.
There is an additional requirement for all face-to-face foreign language interpreters to undertake an assessment of ability. All interpreters will be required to undertake continuous professional development and abide by a comprehensive code of conduct which further emphasises that they should only undertake assignments which they are competent to undertake.
This, and the other requirements under the framework, will ensure that the justice sector continues to have access to interpreters of the appropriate quality.
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