§ Mr. OttawayTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her decision to write to the chairmen of the top 500 companies urging them to use Cafédirect in their vending machines. [50553]
§ Clare ShortTrade is crucial to poverty elimination as it brings the resources that can help generate growth. But we need to ensure that the benefits of trade reach the least developed countries and the poorest people and lead to sustainable economic and social development. Fair and ethical trade have a key role to play in this, both by establishing codes of practice and improving the conditions of workers, and by dealing with smaller producers on the edge of the economy. Many British companies are working for fair and ethical trade in their own business practices and are discussing these issues with my Department.
My letters to the chairmen of the FT500 companies was a request to ask them to consider using fairly traded coffee in their vending machines.