Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Karl Turner Excerpts
Tuesday 13th March 2012

(12 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I ask the Secretary of State to face the House.

Karl Turner Portrait Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab)
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T3. The Lord Chancellor will know that the ALS interpreters’ contractor has been an unmitigated disaster, and I can provide specific examples of cases in my constituency. If it is about saving money, will he tell us how many hearings have had to be adjourned or postponed due to the fiasco?

Crispin Blunt Portrait Mr Blunt
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There will be a full presentation of all the statistics and evidence relevant to the matter. I assure the hon. Gentleman that matters are in hand and that ALS’s performance is improving significantly. Particular problems remain with two nationality groups of interpreters, who are causing difficulties, but plans are in hand for them, too. [Interruption.] I do not wish to name them at the moment. The matter was in hand within two weeks of the system’s going live. There are weekly reports to me and daily management oversight from the Ministry of Justice. The matter is improving.