§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (I) what steps her Department has taken to ensure that there is an easily accessible pool of professional interpreters for approved social workers and doctors, in accordance with 2.35 of the code of practice of the Mental Health Act 1983;
(2)how many local authorities and health authorities have drafted guidance on the use of interpreters in accordance with paragraph 2.35 of the code of practice to the Mental Health Act 1983.
§ Mr. YeoThe code offers guidance on good practice. It is for health and local authorities to decide on their joint needs and provide accordingly in the light of particular local circumstances. Information on the number of authorities which have drafted guidance on the use of interpreters is not available centrally.
§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government have taken to set and monitor targets for recruitment and promotion of mental health staff from black and ethnic minority communities.
§ Mr. YeoArrangements to monitor progressively all groups of national health service staff recruited from black and ethnic minorities were introduced earlier this year.