HC Deb 29 January 1998 vol 305 cc313-4W
Mr. Burnett

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in what languages small claims leaflets and county court forms are printed. [24961]

Mr. Hoon

At present the small claims leaflets are available only in English and Welsh. By April 1998 they will also be available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. Court forms are available only in English.

Mr. Burnett

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps have been taken following the National Audit Office report, "Handling Small Claims in the County Courts" (HC 271, of Session 1995–96), to make the small claims procedure more accessible for(a) non-English speaking litigants and (b) the disabled. [24872]

Mr. Hoon

(a) A contract has been let to translate all seven small claims leaflets into the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. It is expected they will be available to court users from April 1998. (b) Court users are now asked to let the court know if they need special facilities so that arrangements can be made to accommodate them. Some courts have installed Minicom and loop systems and the Court Service will pay the cost of interpreters for deaf litigants and witnesses in civil hearings. A review will also commence in April 1998 which will look at disabled provision in all the courts to identify what needs to be done to improve access and facilities in line with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Mr. Burnett

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of county courts provide(a) wheelchair access, (b) disabled toilet facilities and (c) facilities for persons with seeing and hearing disabilities. [24960]

Mr. Hoon

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Burnett

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what interpreting facilities are provided in county courts for non-English speaking litigants. [24962]

Mr. Hoon

There is a National Register of Public Service Interpreters, which provides a list of qualified interpreters who adhere to a code of conduct and a standard of service delivery. Civil courts do not however, provide interpreters. It is for the parties to obtain, and pay for, any such requirements.