Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 19 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 February 2005. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 February 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the actions and interests of Rio Tinto or Mittal Steel have been brought to his or his Department's attention since January 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the actions and interests of Rio Tinto or Mittal Steel have been brought to his or his Department's attention since January 2004; and if he will make a statement. [210719] Mr. Alexander: Rio Tinto has been involved in a number of Corporate Social Responsibility activities, including the UK-US led Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. The company is also actively involved in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the UN Global Compact, in whose UK Forum the company participates. In addition, Rio Tinto is, like other UK companies, in periodic contact with officials at our overseas missions concerning existing and possible future investment projects, in, for example, Latin America and Africa. The details of these contacts are subject to commercial confidence. During Romania's EU accession negotiations, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was kept informed of discussions about Romania's steel industry, which included Mittal Steel.

Secondary information