HC Deb 26 October 1988 vol 139 cc204-5W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) Asian bilingual counter staff are employed and (b) staff Asian language interpreters are available, at local offices of his Department in Bradford.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Five Asian bilingual staff are currently employed as counter staff in the Department's local offices in Bradford, and two full time and one part-time Asian language interpreters are available in the Department's local offices in Bradford.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what training in welfare rights advice staff engaged in answering personal inquiries in local offices of his Department in Bradford possess; and what proportion of such staff are bilingual in an Asian language.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

All benefits staff in the Department's local offices receive a minimum of 13 weeks training before being allowed to deal with personal inquiries from members of the public.

In the Bradford offices, 12 per cent. of staff who regularly deal with personal inquiries are bilingual in an Asian language.