§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Trade, since the Minister's reply on 15 February 1979 on the code of conduct, how many reports have now been made by companies with interests in South Africa, under the code of conduct; how far the reports now show that companies are implementing the code, and if he plans to take action against those companies which have declined to publish a report under the code.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish the names of the British companies which did not submit information to the Department of Trade on employment conditions as required by the European Economic Community code of conduct.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe information requested by the hon. Members in respect of reports made under the code for the 12 months ended 30 June 1979 was given in the written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, Central (Mr. Grant), on 16 April—[Vol. 982, c.653–54]—and in the associated summary by the Department. Three more companies have subsequently published reports: Trusthouse Forte Ltd., Legal and General Assurance Society Ltd., and the Valor Co. Ltd.; copies of those reports are now available for inspection in the same way as those published earlier. The code is voluntary, and there can therefore be no question of coercing companies who decline to report.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will publish the names of the 33 British companies paying African workers less than the poverty datum line;
(2) if he will publish the names of the approximately 50 companies paying African workers less than the minimum effective line.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member712W for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 2 June 1980.