POLICE INTERPRETERS

Early day motion 863, tabled 24 February 2009 by John Leech (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 39 members.

That this House praises the essential work carried out by interpreters across the public sector, but in particular for police forces; notes that interpreters registered with the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI) must be given priority when interpreting services are required under the terms of the National Agreement on the Engagement of Interpreters in Criminal Proceedings; is deeply concerned at proposals being considered by several North West police forces to outsource interpreting work to private sector intermediary agencies; recognises that a significant body of evidence suggests that the use of non-NRPSI registered interpreters increases where intermediary agencies have provided such services for other police forces; believes that outsourcing interpreting work effectively constitutes a breach of the National Agreement; calls on the police forces concerned to avoid outsourcing such a vital element of criminal investigations; and further calls on the Home Office to issue stricter guidelines to police forces in this respect if the terms of the National Agreement are not adhered to.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 1.