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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to ensure the responsible behaviour of UK companies investing in the developing world; and what action she is taking in respect of those companies that use child labour. [201821] Mr. Alexander: Across Government we are undertaking a range of activities to encourage UK companies to maximise the positive contribution they make and minimise their adverse impacts on economic, environmental and social objectives throughout their operations across the world, including action to tackle the use of child labour. This encompasses the approaches set out in the recent Trade and Environment White Paper as well as encouraging the highest standards of corporate behaviour through adherence to the values and behaviours set out in internationally agreed initiatives such as the OECD guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy. We also encourage participation in initiatives such as the Ethical Trading Initiative, Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, Kimberley Certification Process, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the UN Global Compact. Further details can be found on www. csr.gov.uk.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

201821; 428 c882-3W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Children Developing countries Employment Ethics Overseas companies

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk