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Following is a question by the Hon Wong Yuk-man and a written reply by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, in the Legislative Council today (February 27):
Question:
When seeking assistance from a government department, some members of the public who can only speak dialects of provinces other than Guangdong encountered difficulties in communicating with the staff of that department because the department was unable to provide interpretation support in such dialects. As a result, they felt distressed and sought my assistance. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council of:
(a) the Chinese dialects interpretation support which can be provided by government departments at present when communicating with members of the public; and
(b) the arrangements government departments will make to ensure effective communication with those members of the public who can only speak dialects other than those referred to in (a)?
Reply:
President,
Currently, there are no standing arrangements in government departments for the provision of interpretation support in Mainland dialects. If necessary, bureaux/departments may procure outside interpretation services in accordance with the Stores and Procurement Regulations to fulfil their needs. Separately, the Judiciary also engages non-government part-time interpreters for Mainland dialects to provide interpretation services in courts. Relevant departments may make reference to the information concerned and engage such interpreters in their own accord to provide the service.
Bureaux/departments would do their utmost to assist users of government services who only speak Mainland dialects (other than Cantonese) as necessary.
Ends/Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:01
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