Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

British Sign Language

Wednesday 25 January 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • British Sign Language Act 2022 implementation progress continues across Government Departments.
  • First meeting of Departments involved in the Act scheduled for mid-February.
  • Advisory board will provide guidance on BSL implementation and importance of BSL interpretation for Government announcements.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chloe Smith Con
Context

The question follows the passage of the British Sign Language Act 2022, focusing on its implementation and progress.

Question

What recent progress has been made in implementing the British Sign Language Act 2022?

Answer from Mims Davies

I thank my right hon. Friend for her important work in delivering the Act. Work continues across Government to ensure that the Departments named in the schedule to the Act are aware of their reporting duty. They will report on their use of BSL in public communications at the end of the first reporting period on 28 June.

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Q2 Chloe Smith Con
NHS Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The question follows an update on the progress of implementing the BSL Act, focusing on upcoming meetings and statutory guidance.

Question

Will the advisory board be on track ahead of the first statutory reporting date? When will the statutory guidance be commenced? Furthermore, will my hon. Friend commit to the Government's major public broadcasts being fully accessible?

Answer from Mims Davies

My right hon. Friend will be pleased to know that the first meeting of the Departments driving the Act is due to take place in mid-February. It is vital that the 20 Departments listed in the schedule deliver the commitments. The advisory board will form the vital guidance on the Act, and it will look at BSL for major public broadcasts.

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Q3 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Religion & Faith
Context

The question concerns the provision of BSL interpretation for Government communications and events.

Question

What discussions has the Minister had with her colleagues in the Government Communication Service about ensuring that BSL interpretation is provided for Government announcements and media events, and about the importance of not relying on written documents as an adjustment for deaf people?

Answer from Mims Davies

I thank the hon. Lady for her interest. The British Sign Language advisory board is being established to advise the Government on that implementation. Among the people giving advice will be BSL signers, and the majority of the members will be deaf BSL users who have lived experience and want Government communications to be accessible.

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