Liberal Democrat MP, Malcolm Bruce has today tabled a parliamentary motion calling for the legal protection and promotion of sign languages. The Early Day Motion already has cross-party support and Mr Bruce intends this to be the first in a series of events which will highlight the need to fully protect and promote British and Irish Sign Language alongside other minority languages such as Welsh and Gaelic.

Malcolm Bruce MPSpeaking from the House of Commons, the Gordon MP said:

“With an estimated 200,000 people communicating in British Sign language (BSL), many of whom who use it as their first language, it is important that the Government ensures it is doing all it can to protect this language and to raise public awareness of the need for more interpreters and signers in all walks of life.

“Tens of millions of pounds go every year to supporting Welsh and Gaelic. No comparable support exists for sign languages which are just as important and part of British culture.”

Mr Bruce, who is Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Deafness added:

“This is the start of a push to increase awareness in Parliament and beyond of the everyday difficulties British Sign Language users face without the full legal recognition and protection of their language. Trying to build a better picture of the situation in which many deaf people find themselves is made all the more complicated because the responsibility of those legal, health, education, and cultural issues that arise do not fall exclusively to one Government department.

“Over the next few months I will be seeking to obtain more answers from the Government about services and provisions for BSL users and would encourage anyone who uses BSL as their first or preferred language and is having difficulties in accessing public services to contact their local MP.”