17. Mr. GOODMAN ROBERTSasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that interpreters in the Welsh language are no longer provided in the Welsh County Courts, except at the litigants' expense; and, in view of the hardship caused to litigants who are not conversant with the English language, will he consider providing interpreters at the public expense at County Courts in Wales, in conformity with the practice already obtaining at Assizes?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am obliged to my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to my notice. It has long been, and still is, the rule that interpreters in the Welsh language should, where necessary, be provided for the use of litigants at the public expense in Welsh Courts, and there is no authority for making any charge to any litigant for these services. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any breach of this rule, I will communicate with the Lord Chancellor, who will deal with the matter.
Captain A. EVANSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Wales a Welsh-speaking person is not allowed to take the oath in his or her national language, and an interpreter is necessary as though it were a foreign language? Will the right hon. Gentleman give this matter his earnest consideration?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI will make inquiries.