Written question asked by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 13 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 November 2002. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 18 November 2002 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to introduce targetted sanctions against businesses or individuals profiting from the trade in conflict goods as referred to in paragraph 143 of the final report of the Panel of Experts on the alleged exploitation of natural resources and other kinds of wealth of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Answer: Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to introduce targeted sanctions against businesses or individuals profiting from the trade in conflict goods as referred to in paragraph 143 of the final report of the Panel of Experts on the alleged exploitation of natural resources and other kinds of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [81323] Mr. Rammell: The proposal to introduce targeted sanctions is one of a wide range of recommendations made by the UN expert panel report being considered by Whitehall departments. In consultations at the UN on 13 November, a number of states asked for more information to be made available to substantiate the report's allegations. The UK has also asked the UN directly for more information, but has not yet received a response. At the 13 November consultations, the UN panel's chairman--Ambassador Kassem--restated that the panel would recommend a grace period of 5-6 months before imposing any sanctions, to allow the accused individuals and companies a chance to change their working practices.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 394 c8W; 81323
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Companies Natural resources Regulation Trade United Nations Sanctions Democratic Republic of the Congo
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk