HC Deb 10 June 2002 vol 386 cc877-8W
Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to recognise British Sign Language as an official language; and if he will make a statement. 160117]

Maria Eagle

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Coventry South, (Mr. Jim Cunningham), on 14 May 2002,Official Report, column 582W.

Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to have British Sign Language recognised as an official language. [60714]

Maria Eagle

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) on 14 May 2002,Official Report, column 582W.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will commission an independent study of the demography of the British Sign Language community. [60118]

Maria Eagle

The Department has undertaken some feasibility work into a research project on the incidence and demography of BSL use. This involved discussions with research organisations, academics, and a meeting with representatives of organisations of and for deaf people. The work identified concerns about the robustness of the data which such a project might produce, its acceptability to stakeholders including deaf people themselves and the length of time it would take. We are considering what other research might be undertaken which would add to our understanding of the extent of BSL use and demography.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many British Sign Language interpreters there are in the UK. [60116]

Maria Eagle

There is no central record of the number of people working as British Sign Language interpreters in the UK. The Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People, The Association of Sign Language Interpreters, and the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters all maintain directories of BSL interpreters registered with their respective organisations. These do not, however, provide a comprehensive record of interpreters both active and available for assignment. The Department will shortly publish a research report that includes an examination of BSL interpreter provision in England, Scotland and Wales. The field work was undertaken in 1999 and 2000. Preliminary estimates are that 257 qualified and trainee interpreters were available for work in England and Wales and 27 in Scotland.