§ Mr. Lathamasked the hon. Member for Wokingham, as representing the Church Commissioners, whether he will make a statement on any specific initiatives taken by the commissioners since July 1982 to use their influence as institutional shareholders to induce British companies operating in South Africa to adopt employment policies for black African workers in accordance with the European Community code of conduct; and what response has been achieved.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeFor some 10 years the Church Commissioners have sought to encourage British companies in which they hold shares to adopt enlightened employment policies in South Africa, using as their basic yardstick since 1977 the EEC code of conduct. In this connection they have had confidential discussions and/or correspondence wirth numerous companies. They believe that all the companies either comply with the code or are making rapid strides in that direction.