Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, what consideration has been given to the potential merits of extending British Sign Language interpretation to parliamentary proceedings beyond Prime Minister’s Questions, including proceedings of House of Commons Committees.

British Sign Language (BSL) is currently provided live on all Statements and Questions in the House of Commons Chamber and made available to viewers on ParliamentLive.tv. It is also provided occasionally on request for Select Committee evidence sessions and Westminster Hall debates.

The Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit has produced around 1,000 hours of BSL coverage on public proceedings in the current parliament, including on ceremonial events such as the State Opening. The provision of BSL is one of a number of accessible formats being considered by a working group established by the House of Commons Administration, on which a report will be delivered to the Modernisation Committee later in 2026.