Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour) on Monday, 21 January 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 January 2002. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 29 January 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 12th December 2001, Official Report, 376 c922W, how many immigration service staff speak (a) Arabic, (b) Hindi, (c) Urdu, (d) Farsi or Dari and (e) Pashto; how many persons of what grades are trained to speak each language; and how many translators have been employed for how many paid hours in each language; and at what cost. - (Holding answer 23 January 2002).

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 12 December 2001, Official Report, column 922W, how many Immigration Service staff speak (a) Arabic, (b) Hindi, (c) Urdu, (d) Farsi or Dari and (e) Pushtu; how many persons of what grades are trained to speak each language; and how many translators have been employed for how many paid hours in each language; and at what cost. [29821] Angela Eagle: Since September 2001 the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) has held a national database of all its interpreters. The database currently holds 473 Arabic speakers, 359 Hindi, 429 Urdu, 261 Farsi, 84 Dari and 64 Pushtu. No records are currently held centrally as to the amount of hours interpreters have worked in individual languages. Details of the languages spoken by immigration staff are not currently held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost. However, the Immigration Service is creating a database of training received and qualifications held by immigration service staff. The majority of interpreting and translation services for those in the care of the Immigration Service are largely provided by external translators.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 29821; 379 c298W;379 c296W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Costs Languages Staff Immigration and Nationality Directorate Translation services Interpreters
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk