A COST of £44,000 for Burnley's translation unit has been interpreted as good value for money by council chiefs.

Independent councillor Harry Brooks asked how long council taxpayers in Burnley would have to continue to pay for the service which was supposed to become self financing.

He said: "Surely it is reasonable to expect the ethnic minorities to survive linguistically from their own resources."

That kind of "politically-correct rubbish" caused justified resentment and a division in the community, he claimed.

Coun Rafique Malik said the unit was generating money although not yet self financing. It was providing a useful service for the council and for other organisations as well.

Coun Jack Alston said he went to the unit to translate something from German on behalf of a constituent in relation to a death and they could not help other than to suggest someone elsewhere.

The unit only dealt with Asian languages although it was the third generation of Asians in the town.

Council leader, Stuart Caddy, said he was sad and embarrassed at the way the issue had been raised.

During 12 months the translation and interpretation unit had dealt with 350 assignments. How could they criticise something which provided a valuable service for the people of Burnley? he asked.

Coun Mozaquir Ali said he was disappointed at the comments as the unit was one of the most successful services in the borough. Several other councillors made similar remarks.

Equal opportunities chairman, Coun Peter Swainston, said the unit provided an invaluable service which was used by the courts and police as well as other organisations.

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