§ Viscount Simonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish the results of the survey of European Union member states to establish the adequacy of available interpreter facilities in courts of law; and [HL3754]
Whether they consider that adequate facilities exist in courts in the European Union to provide translation for United Kindgdom citizens involved in proceedings there. [HL3755]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe United Kingdom, during its Presidency of the European Union, initiated a questionnaire on the provision of interpretation in criminal proceedings in the European Union. The purpose of the questionnaire was to seek information about the availability of necessary interpretation facilities in member states following the arrest of a person and in any subsequent criminal proceedings. A summary of the responses to the questionnaire from each member state is being prepared by the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union. When the summary has been compiled it will be for the Council to decide whether it should be published.
The Government will form their view on the adequacy of interpretation facilities in courts in the European Union in light of the results of the questionnaire and of the research in this area, which is being funded by the European Commission's Grotius programme.