§ Mr. GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects her Department to introduce a code of conduct for transnational companies operating in developing countries. [7832]
§ Clare ShortThere is increasing support in the business community for the adoption of voluntary codes of conduct which set minimum labour and environmental standards. My Department is facilitating discussions on these issues and those of ethical trading with business and NGOs. We expect to be able to present further proposals in the Development White Paper in the autumn.