HL Deb 23 October 2001 vol 627 cc117-8WA
Lord Bradshaw

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is their intention to introduce legislation allowing criminal charges of "corporate killing" to be brought against governors of schools and members of hospital trusts. [HL441]

The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)

We are committed to the introduction of an offence of corporate killing which will hold companies accountable for behaviour for which an individual would be liable to a charge of manslaughter. The offence is not designed to capture the taking of a well evaluated risk that any reasonable person would have taken, but only behaviour that falls far below what could reasonably be expected in the circumstances.

No decisions have yet been taken regarding the inclusion of educational establishments and hospital trusts within the scope of the offence.