Immigrants are given taxpayer-funded translators to help them get a UK passport

Critics said it made a mockery of the Government's promise that any foreigner wanting citizenship must be able to speak English.

The revelations concern Whitehall's new face-to-face interview for first-time passport applicants.

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Spot check: Immigrants will get translators when applying for a passport

To have even reached this stage, a migrant must have passed a Britishness test, written entirely in English, or a special language course.

The Life in the UK test is supposed to prove they can speak the language, and are therefore suitable to be a citizen.

But some of those who have passed the exam - and have already been awarded citizenship - have skills which are so shaky they need an interpreter for the subsequent interview with passport officials.

The Government - which has repeatedly said speaking the language is a primary requirement of being a good citizen - is even paying to provide the service.

More than £106,000 has been spent in only six months.

Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green said: "You couldn't make this up. The Government waxed lyrical at the time that their new proposals would mean you would have to speak English to a certain level to get a UK passport.

"Yet their own figures show they have spent a six-figure sum on interpreters for those applying for a passport since this system came in."

Critics questioned why the securing of the passport itself - which takes places after citizenship has been awarded - should be more difficult than passing the Life in the UK exam, which has a success rate of around 70 per cent.

It is the Life in the UK test which confers upon the immigrant the right to be British.

The passport interview is simply to secure the actual travel document, and for the migrant to prove they are who they say.

During the 20-minute interview for a passport, immigrants are asked about previous and current addresses, how long they have lived there, who with, whether they have a mortgage, and any bank accounts which may be held.

All first-time passport applicants, including those born in this country, must undergo the interview, which is designed to reduce fraud.

Some of those needing translators may be from ethnic minority communities who were born here but speak little English, officials say.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The interviews are tailored to the individual in order to establish that you are you and not someone trying to hijack your identity.

"It is possible that some interviews could require the assistance of an interpreter even with someone who has done the [Life in the UK] test - what is important is that we are able to satisfy ourselves that the person attending is the legitimate passport applicant."