British Sign Language
Westminster Hall debate
On Tuesday 17 October 2023, Chloe Smith MP led a Westminster Hall debate on the British Sign Language report 2022 and implementation of the British Sign Language Act 2022.
Summarising the debate, she said:
"The BSL Act 2022 was a major milestone for the Deaf community, recognising the language in law for the first time.
"It also asked the government to report back on the promotion and facilitation of BSL in government communications, and gets the government to provide guidance for the better use of BSL, helped by an Advisory Board drawn from the Deaf community.
"This debate helped scrutinise what the government has done so far - there has been some progress but there's lots more to do.
"I called this debate because I want to see successful and strong progress, and Parliament should hold government to account for better services for our Deaf constituents."
Read the transcript on Hansard
Watch the debate
Watch the debate with British Sign Language interpretation
Parliamentary resources and activities
House of Commons Library
Research
- British Sign Language report 2022 and implementation of the British Sign Language Act 2022 (October 2023)
- British Sign Language Bill (April 2022)
- BSL Summary of the briefing on the Bill:
Acts of Parliament
Other resources
- Information on the parliamentary broadcasting hub with BSL interpreters.
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What is a Westminster Hall Debate?
Westminster Hall debates take place in the Grand Committee Room in the House of Commons.
They give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister.
Debates in Westminster Hall take place on ‘general debate' motions expressed in neutral terms. These motions are worded ‘That this House has considered [a specific matter]'.
How Parliament works: Westminster Hall debates.
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