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Saturday 21st July 2012 | 17:42
Labour press release
Commenting on the news the House of Commons Justice Select Committee
is to launch an inquiry into the Ministry of Justice interpreters
contract with ALS, Shadow Justice Minister Andy Slaughter MP said:
"It is good news that there will be an independent investigation of
the ALS contract by the Justice Select Committee. The Government
claims ALS's performance is improving, but this is based on
information collected by ALS themselves.
”Qualified interpreters across the country are still reporting court
cases collapsing and interpreters either not showing or unable to
translate adequately. There are real concerns at the impact this will
have on the public's confidence in our justice system and on the cost
to the taxpayer of delayed and cancelled trials.
”But as well as the performance, it's vital the Committee looks at
the way ALS obtained the contract, the subsequent sale to Capita and
the collapse of the savings target from an original £18 million to
below £12 million."