New clause 1, which I tabled, has been signed by 51 other hon. Members. That significant body of opinion indicates the strength of feeling about the subjects with which the measure deals. One of the historical roles of the House has always been to attempt to protect the general social...

New clause 1, which I tabled, has been signed by 51 other hon. Members. That significant body of opinion indicates the strength of feeling about the subjects with which the measure deals. One of the historical roles of the House has always been to attempt to protect the general social...

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

Much of what the hon. Lady says is welcome, but has she spotted that the business review that she supports would not cover, to take a significant climate change issue, Thames Water, a company that her constituents will have a great interest in?

Much of what the hon. Lady says is welcome, but has she spotted that the business review that she supports would not cover, to take a significant climate change issue, Thames Water, a company that her constituents will have a great interest in?

There was I thinking that we had seen the end of Punch and Judy politics for the sake of it. We are an Opposition that have for some time now said that, when we are happy with legislation, we will not oppose it just for the sake of it. We...

There was I thinking that we had seen the end of Punch and Judy politics for the sake of it. We are an Opposition that have for some time now said that, when we are happy with legislation, we will not oppose it just for the sake of it. We...

That is a debate for later—in the bar, probably. I simply say that it is clear that if the corporate sector fails to move with the times, if private power insists on remaining secretive and lacking in transparency, when danger occurs, individual companies, and perhaps even the entire system, will...

That is a debate for later—in the bar, probably. I simply say that it is clear that if the corporate sector fails to move with the times, if private power insists on remaining secretive and lacking in transparency, when danger occurs, individual companies, and perhaps even the entire system, will...

Why not?

Why not?

It is a great pleasure to be at the Dispatch Box for the first time, although, I have to accept, after today, possibly the last. I am pleased to speak for the Opposition on this part of the Bill, although it is not exactly as I had expected. My understanding...

It is a great pleasure to be at the Dispatch Box for the first time, although, I have to accept, after today, possibly the last. I am pleased to speak for the Opposition on this part of the Bill, although it is not exactly as I had expected. My understanding...

My hon. Friend is right. Asda is part of the Wal-Mart group which, it is alleged, employs teams based at its headquarters in the United States to break trade unions. Such activities cannot be justified. We have seen little of that in the United Kingdom, but it is part of...

My hon. Friend is right. Asda is part of the Wal-Mart group which, it is alleged, employs teams based at its headquarters in the United States to break trade unions. Such activities cannot be justified. We have seen little of that in the United Kingdom, but it is part of...

In the course of his compelling speech, my hon. Friend has mentioned Tesco, which is a quoted company and would therefore be covered by the business review requirement, as would Sainsbury. Asda, however, as a subsidiary of Wal-Mart, is not quoted on the stock exchange and is not covered by...

In the course of his compelling speech, my hon. Friend has mentioned Tesco, which is a quoted company and would therefore be covered by the business review requirement, as would Sainsbury. Asda, however, as a subsidiary of Wal-Mart, is not quoted on the stock exchange and is not covered by...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that important point. The dominant market position that certain companies secure in their own sector could be used to the disadvantage of those further down the supply chain, often smaller companies living hand to mouth. Anyone who, like me, seems unable to sleep...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that important point. The dominant market position that certain companies secure in their own sector could be used to the disadvantage of those further down the supply chain, often smaller companies living hand to mouth. Anyone who, like me, seems unable to sleep...

I strongly support any effort to ensure that supplier relationships are incorporated in the Bill. Can the hon. Gentleman expand on the challenges that that presents? Suppliers are complaining, anonymously of course, that there are overriders, lack of written contracts, many short-term changes and return of goods on rather questionable...

I strongly support any effort to ensure that supplier relationships are incorporated in the Bill. Can the hon. Gentleman expand on the challenges that that presents? Suppliers are complaining, anonymously of course, that there are overriders, lack of written contracts, many short-term changes and return of goods on rather questionable...

Yes, procedural. How I did it and when I did it are procedural issues, but I want to hear the hon. Lady’s comments on the substance of the amendments. Does she agree with the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Cameron) that she should stand up for not only the...

Yes, procedural. How I did it and when I did it are procedural issues, but I want to hear the hon. Lady’s comments on the substance of the amendments. Does she agree with the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Cameron) that she should stand up for not only the...

Procedural?

Procedural?

I welcome the hon. Lady to her Front-Bench position and wish her well. The issues that she has raised are entirely procedural.

I welcome the hon. Lady to her Front-Bench position and wish her well. The issues that she has raised are entirely procedural.

We are in danger of making the business review far too prescriptive, particularly given that we know that more environmental legislation is likely to be enacted. What is needed is a narrative that has a good enough framework for the outcomes that we want, which include information for members on...

We are in danger of making the business review far too prescriptive, particularly given that we know that more environmental legislation is likely to be enacted. What is needed is a narrative that has a good enough framework for the outcomes that we want, which include information for members on...

I must declare an interest, because I work with the Chartered Institute of Marketing. The Bill does not explicitly require the reports to cover the marketing performance of a company. The Chartered Institute of Marketing feels that that is an omission and that shareholders should have the right to know...

I must declare an interest, because I work with the Chartered Institute of Marketing. The Bill does not explicitly require the reports to cover the marketing performance of a company. The Chartered Institute of Marketing feels that that is an omission and that shareholders should have the right to know...

Throughout the Bill, the Government have been clear about what the business review is intended to do, and it is to be a narrative for the members of the company. I am sure that the Minister will want to deal with whether the Bill should have a much wider application...

Throughout the Bill, the Government have been clear about what the business review is intended to do, and it is to be a narrative for the members of the company. I am sure that the Minister will want to deal with whether the Bill should have a much wider application...

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point, but the point made by the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Jim Cousins) was wrong. Thames Water and other companies may be foreign-owned, but they have nothing to do with the Bill. He has just demonstrated one of the weaknesses of...

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point, but the point made by the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Jim Cousins) was wrong. Thames Water and other companies may be foreign-owned, but they have nothing to do with the Bill. He has just demonstrated one of the weaknesses of...

The business review clearly sets out the need for directors to have a narrative on social and community issues, and also environmental issues.

The business review clearly sets out the need for directors to have a narrative on social and community issues, and also environmental issues.