22
May 2012
Interpreters
(Prosecutions)
Oral
Answers to Questions — Attorney-General
Nicholas Dakin (Scunthorpe, Labour)
If he will assess the effect on the cost of prosecutions of delays
caused by the absence of an interpreter.
Edward Garnier (Solicitor General; Harborough, Conservative)
The CPS has no central records on the cost of court delays caused by the
absence of an interpreter, but common sense tells me that such delays resulting
from the absence of a necessary interpreter waste time and money.
Nicholas Dakin (Scunthorpe, Labour)
Apparently, Jajo the rabbit is now a registered interpreter and
translator. Does the Solicitor-General agree that that latest embarrassment
illustrates the utter shambles that the contracting out of the interpreter and
translator service has become?
Edward Garnier (Solicitor General; Harborough, Conservative)
It was a joke and, even if it was not a joke, he has been deregistered.
Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed, Liberal Democrat)
What discussions is the Solicitor-General having with his colleagues in
the Ministry of Justice to ensure that the contract provisions are carefully
examined and, if necessary, penalties are imposed if the service is not up to
the standard required?
Edward Garnier (Solicitor General; Harborough, Conservative)
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. I discussed that matter only this
morning with colleagues in the Ministry of Justice and am assured by the Under-Secretary
of State for Justice, my hon. Friend Mr Blunt, that the contract with Applied
Language Solutions is now running properly. The company has got a grip on it
and we can expect nothing but progress from here on.
John Bercow (Speaker)
So that we get the full benefit of the Solicitor-General’s eloquence, perhaps
he could—
Edward Garnier (Solicitor General; Harborough, Conservative)
Shall I repeat the answer?
John Bercow (Speaker)
I do not think that that will be necessary, but perhaps in future the
hon. and learned Gentleman would face the House. We would all be greatly
obliged.
Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith, Labour)
It is my pleasure to stand in for the shadow Attorney-General, my hon.
Friend Emily Thornberry—I understand that she has informed the
Attorney-General, if not the Solicitor-General. Reports from the media, the
courts and interpreters themselves show that, contrary to the
Solicitor-General’s briefing, problems with ALS are getting worse, not better.
The MOJ intends to publish its analysis of ALS’s performance this week, based
on data that I understand were collected by ALS itself. Will the Law Officers
conduct their own investigation of the collapse of the interpreting and translating
service in our courts, one that will put the interests of justice before the
self-serving interests of the Ministry of Justice and its contractor?
Edward Garnier (Solicitor General; Harborough, Conservative)
No, I genuinely do not believe that to be necessary, and I think that
the hon. Gentleman has been misinformed. The ALS contract is working well. If
he knows of any particular instances where it is not, no doubt he will tell the
Ministry of Justice about them, but I think I am prepared to believe my hon.
Friends in the MOJ a little bit before I believe him.
Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham, Conservative)
What mechanisms exist for the CPS to communicate concerns with regard to
the quality of interpretation both to the Law Officers and, indeed, to the Ministry
of Justice?
Edward Garnier (Solicitor General; Harborough, Conservative)
The CPS can tell us; my hon. and learned Friend can tell us; he can tell
the Ministry of Justice; we can tell the Ministry of Justice—[ Interruption.
]
John Bercow (Speaker)
The demeanour of the Solicitor-General is eccentric. I cannot account
for how he performs in Her Majesty’s courts, but in the Chamber it would be
helpful if he looked in the direction of the generality of Members.
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