Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 7 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 November 2000. It was answered by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour) on Thursday, 16 November 2000 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the international Rugmark initiative; and what steps she has taken to encourage British carpet companies to take part.

Answer: Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the international Rugmark initiative; and what steps she has taken to encourage British carpet companies to take part. [137744] Mr. Foulkes: We have not been involved with the Rugmark initiative and therefore we have not made an assessment of it. In general terms labelling can make a positive contribution to the elimination of child labour but impact hinges on effective monitoring, sustainable income replacement and/or access to quality education--if not children may simply be displaced into non export oriented work.

Secondary information