HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 cc561-2W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the closing date of submissions for the current review of the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises. [53025]

Mrs. Roche

[holding answer 29 July 1998]: The Government will be consulting representatives of business and trades' unions, as well as a number of non-governmental organisations that have expressed an interest in the review. We anticipate that a first discussion of the substantive issues will take place in November, and we will be inviting comments to meet this timetable.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers his Department has to act against British multinational enterprises in violation of the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises. [53024]

Mrs. Roche

[holding answer 29 July 1998]: The Guidelines are a voluntary set of principles for multinational enterprise behaviour. The National Contact Point on the Guidelines, which resides in this Department, has the role of handling enquiries and carrying out discussions on all matters related to the Guidelines. Where there is concern about the application of the Guidelines by an enterprise, the National Contact Point, following an approach from an interested party, will contact the enterprise to try to resolve the issue. This provides the opportunity for the National Contact Point to draw the attention of the enterprise to the Guidelines and make clear the importance that the Government attach to them.