HC Deb 17 July 1989 vol 157 c73W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many interpreters were employed or available to the immigration service speaking(a) Turkish, and (b) Kurdish in (i) 1987, (ii) 1988 and (iii) 1989 to date; and what training and instruction is given to them.

Mr. Renton

There are no Turkish or Kurdish speaking interpreters in permanent employment with the immigration service. The casual interpreters whom the immigration service has on record are as follows:

  1. (a) Turkish (i) 1987–54 (ii) 1988–79 (iii) 1989–84
  2. (b) Kurdish (i) 1987–2 (ii) 1988–4 (iii) 1989–7

Casual interpreters are in the main native Turkish/ Kurdish speakers and are instructed to give a direct translation of questions put and answers given. In addition, a total of 54 immigration officers currently hold an allowance for the Turkish language having succeeded at the Home Civil Service departmental examination in Turkish.