House of Lords marks first live use of sign language interpretation

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The House of Lords has seen the first live use of British Sign Language interpretation as peers backed a Bill giving the language legal recognition across Britain. Before peers started the second reading debate of the British Sign Language Bill, which would give BSL legal recognition in England, Wales and Scotland, Lord McFall said: “I would like to point out that a British Sign Language interpretation of proceedings is available to watch on parliamentlive.tv. “I am delighted to mark this first occasion of the live use of BSL interpretation in the House of Lords.” As he ended his remarks, Lord McFall made the BSL sign for ‘thank you’. In no circumstances it seems wholly appropriate that a BSL signer should not have to rely on a spouse, a parent, a child, a sibling to enable that encounter to be accessible and inclusive.” Rose Ayling-Ellis was amazing, and it is wonderful to hear about the increase in people wanting to learn sign language Crossbench peer Baroness Grey-Thompson He added: “In the British Sign Language private members’ bill, the honourable lady Rosie Cooper has given us a barrel of a Bill.