Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Scotland of Asthal (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 June 2007.

Border and Immigration Agency

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What training about the cultural norms and practices that apply in the countries from which most asylum applicants come is given to interviewers and interpreters working for the Border and Immigration Agency.

Answer: Cultural norms and practices are a theme that is considered and discussed throughout the formal training programme for case owners in regional managed asylum teams and caseworkers in the case resolution directorate, and are more specifically aired during the interviewing skills training that takes place for up to five days. In advance of each interview, case owners and caseworkers consult and refer to country reports—compiled from a wide range of reliable, well recognised and balanced external sources—and operational guidance notes, which identify cultural norms and practices of a particular nationality. Interpreters engaged by the Border and Immigration Agency are freelance. They are expected to attend one or two days’ training provided by the Institute of Linguists. The training covers the role of public service interpreter and the standards expected by the Border and Immigration Agency.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3993; 693 c25-6WA
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Asylum Applications Culture Interviews Training Interpreters Border and Immigration Agency
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk