Well will they? Or will they expect you to hire one?

After all, I can't see wifey being too pleased if you have to spend your own money on something that she is capable of doing for nothing.

She needs to get her arse in gear and get a job. We have already established that the police who will interview me will only be available Monday through to Friday. I will need to attend these grillings on my own. They, the police, have reassured me it's all about my safety and well-being. Happiness is the keyword they feel. I can't see me being very happy if I have to pay an interpretor. Personally I think they have been trying to bully me into applying for the permit elsewhere. It's the wife's idea to withdraw her services, and i agree with her. If we do have to stay in her village I don't find the prospects of being looked down on once a fortnight daunting as i will have plenty of time on my hands-I will just keep saying 'hurry hurry as the bus has arrived!' that being the extent of my Chinese. If we do get to the big city it will offer better employment for the wife as a translator.