IMMIGRANTS in Worcester are not automatically given information in their mother tongue, it has been revealed.

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has criticised councils for translating literature, reducing the need for immigrants to learn English.

However both Worcester city and Worcestershire county councils only translate documents on request and issue standard information in English only.

Councillor Dave Clark, Worcester City Council's cabinet member for customer focus, said he agrees with Miss Kelly that councils translate documents too frequently.

"I think translating documents for people has been helpful, but I don't think it has helped people to integrate, so I can see where the sentiments have come from," he said.

"It always costs to get things translated, and when you think outside of this council to all the companies that do it, it results in a tremendous cost.

"We do bend over backwards to help people. I would say the council is still very committed to providing translations, but I understand Ruth Kelly's sentiments."

Both councils do provide translations if specially requested in line with the Race Relations Act.

Most of the requests received by Worcester City Council are for translations into Polish, followed by Portugese, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali, Turkish and Cantonese.

The Guildhall has a customer service charter which compels it to be fair and open to everyone, so it is unlikely to change its policy without Government guidance.

Coun Clark said the city council had "a fine line to tread" if it were to change policy in the future.

Malik Fayez, vice-chairman of Worcester Racial Equality Council, said: "I'm one of those people strongly in favour of immigrants speaking English to integrate into society, but whether we can force people to do it is another matter. I think immigrants should be consulted on what Ruth Kelly said to see what they think."

Both the Guildhall and County Hall use a firm called Ethic Access Link to provide translations when needed.

The city council spent about £3,000 on it last year, while the county council was unable to provide a figure.

No one from the county council wished to comment on Miss Kelly's suggestion.