BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE

Early day motion 1240, tabled 7 May 2002 by Jim Cunningham (Labour). Signed by 81 members.

That this House recognises that British sign language is a fast growing language and is being used more frequently by upcoming generations; recognises also that deaf people pay the full television licence fee and should therefore receive the full service with the option of 100 per cent. subtitling; notes that many deaf students have to leave education early as they are unable to be taught in their language; hopes that the Government will take measures to ensure that deaf people have the same right to education as everybody else; and calls upon the Government to recognise British sign language as a language in its own right.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Liberal Democrat 14, Labour/Co-operative 5, UUP 3, Scottish National Party 2, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1.