Parmjit Singh Gill MP tables motion in Parliament in support of new translation service

7.24.52pm GMT Fri 10th Dec 2004

Parmjit supports British Gas's new language service

Yesterday in Parliament, Parmjit Singh Gill MP tabled an early day motion in support of a new translation service provided by British Gas. Several other Members of Parliament have already added their support. The new service will enable engineers to access a translator who speaks the customer's language via a special telephone system. This will now allow engineers to overcome communications barriers with citizens who do not speak English fluently.

Language Line has been widely welcomed due to the service:

* Helping impart vital home safety advice, especially to vulnerable often elderly citizens.

* Acting as a deterrent against cowboy traders who may exploit confusion in householders whose occupants may not speak English fluently.

Commenting Parmjit said:

"This is a praiseworthy service and will greatly benefit a large number of households in my constituency and around the country.

"Let's hope other private and public sector service providers will develop similar measures which recognize Britain's diverse society"

The Trading Standards Institute has additionally added its support for this service.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. An early day motion (EDM) is a colloquial term for a notice of motion given by a Member for which no date has been fixed for debate. EDMs exist to allow Members to put on record their opinion on a subject and canvass support for it from fellow Members. In effect, the primary function of an EDM is to form a kind of petition that MPs can sign.

2. EDM 367 full text:

LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES FOR CITIZENS WHO DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH FLUENTLY

"That this House welcomes the introduction by British Gas of its innovative Language Line service, which enables the company's engineers to overcome communications barriers with citizens who do not speak English fluently by enabling engineers to access a translator who speaks the customer's language via a special telephone system; notes the support of the Trading Standards Institute for this service; believes that Language Line helps impart vital home safety advice to all customers and could also be a deterrent against cowboy traders who may exploit confusion among householders whose first language is not English; and urges other private and public sector service providers to develop similar measures in recognition of Britain's increasingly diverse society."

3. On 10th December the following MPs had signed the EDM in support:

Parmjit Singh Gill.

Paul Holmes,

Simon Hughes ,

Mr Andrew Stunell,

Sarah Teather,

Mr Phil Willis.

4. The British Gas Language Line has already gained national coverage on BBC online: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4080653.stm