HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 cc970-1
5. Mr. Dai Havard (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)

What steps she is taking to support socially responsible behaviour by companies operating in the developing world. [69877]

The Secretary of State for International Development (Clare Short)

We are strongly supporting initiatives to progress socially and environmentally responsible business practices, and many leading companies are committed to significant reform. Our largest UK initiative, which is supported by my Department, is the ethical trading initiative, which is a partnership of trade unions, development charities and British retailers with an annual turnover of £100 billion. Together, they are monitoring respect for core labour standards throughout their supply chains across the world. That is potentially an enormous force for good in poor countries.

Mr. Havard

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. I especially welcome the establishment of the business partnership department in her Department and the appointment of a Minister for corporate social responsibility in the UK. What action will she take to ensure that her Department works closely with other Departments and the devolved Administrations and further develops relationships with the trade union and co-operative movement in monitoring—and developing—policy, activities for which that movement is well qualified?

Clare Short

I agree with my hon. Friend. In the past, funnily enough, we did not have a private sector department in my Department. A healthy private sector is crucial to the reduction of poverty, as is a healthy and effective government system. We are putting much more effort into that area. I can confirm that we work strongly across UK Departments because we want to be part of a Government who are committed to sustainable development across the world, not just one Department in the Government. We have partnership programmes with the Transport and General Workers Union on shop steward education. We are about to organise a programme with the Trades Union Congress, and we are trying to deepen the understanding of development in all sectors of British society so that we can make a better contribution.