§ Mr. GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects to complete the social audit of her Department's procurement policies. [7833]
§ Clare ShortWe are currently examining the feasibility of a social audit. We have no specific timetable. We have started to review our procurement policies, initially with respect to contracts for Department for International development-funded construction projects.
518WWe are drawing up a detailed proposition for a DFID code of conduct for works contracts, to ensure that no project with which DFID is associated has unacceptable health and safety or employment practices. In support of this work, the development co-operation office in Delhi is studying the situation of construction workers on DFID-funded projects in India. The conclusions from this particular study will be available by November.