§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, following criminal cases in Britain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, etc., they will consult the International Labour Organization on new and improved methods for preventing the abuse and exploitation of those who cross international frontiers to obtain work, and in particular domestic workers coming to England, the Middle East and other countries.
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Lord Henley)The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has already adopted a number of international instruments designed to eliminate abuses of migrant workers. These are open to ratification by all ILO member states. Workers from overseas, including domestic servants, who are admitted to the United Kingdom are eligible for the same employment protection rights as resident United Kingdom employees. The Government consider that the prison sentences imposed in recent cases brought before the courts confirm that their existing legislation already provides adequate protection against abuse and exploitation in the United Kingdom, and that there is therefore no need for it to consult the ILO on this matter.