HC Deb 25 March 1998 vol 309 c174W
10 Mr. Hanson

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will meet representatives of retail organisations to discuss the promotion of ethical trading policies. [34636]

Mr. Foulkes

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets representatives of retailers whenever possible to encourage them to adopt ethical codes and to work with their suppliers to improve labour conditions and environmental standards. We are greatly encouraged by the growing strength of ethical consumer movements, the responsiveness of many retailers and the huge improvements in life to which this leads for very poor producers in developing countries.