Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Toby Jessel (Conservative), on Tuesday, 13 November 1990, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 46 members in total.

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CONDUCT OF UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION

That this House remembers that six years ago on 2nd-3rd December 1984, a cloud of highly toxic methyl isocyanate escaped from the Union Carbide Corporation plant in Bhopal, India, killing up to 3,700 people and injuring over 300,000; notes that: (a) recent medical evidence indicates that the people of Bhopal are increasingly suffering long-term ill-effects, and that methyl isocyanate is carcinogenic and mutagenic, (b) in accordance with internationally recognised legal standards, Union Carbide Corporation has a responsibility to pay adequate compensation to the families of those who suffered injury, death, or economic loss, (c) since then Union Carbide Corporation has been primarily concerned with minimising its accountability, (d) the February 1989 settlement of $470 million between Union Carbide Corporation and the former Indian Government has been rejected by the people of Bhopal and the V. P. Singh government as inadequate, and (e) according to a scientific report by the US National Toxic Campaign, Union Carbide Corporation continues to be a major discharger of toxic substances into the environment, and a major generator of hazardous waste; therefore supports the Indian Government's attempt to overturn the settlement so that all the issues of liability can be decided in an open court, or that Union Carbide Corporation be forced to pay more adequate compensation; and expresses amazement and concern that, in light of the Bhopal disaster, the company's conduct over the last six years and its continuing violation of environmental regulations, Union Carbide Corporation will be presenting a paper at a London conference on 14th November entitled Corporate Responsibility and How to Sustain Environmental Excellence.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

CONDUCT OF UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION (67A1)

The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Bob Cryer (primary, Labour) and tabled on Wednesday, 14 November 1990. It has been signed by 14 members in total.

at end add 'but recognises that this duplicity and irresponsibility are hallmarks of the capitalist system.'.

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Secondary information

Type

Early day motion

Reference

67 

67A1 

Session

1990-91

Subjects

Chemicals Industrial accidents India Pollution Carcinogens Union Carbide

Link

View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk