HL Deb 28 April 2003 vol 647 c63WA
The Earl of Sandwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When and how they will respond to the latest report of the United Nations panel of experts on the exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [HL2515]

Baroness Amos

The UK supported Resolution 1457 (2003) which reiterates the UN Security Council's commitment to take appropriate action to help put an end to the plundering of the resources of the DRC. The report did not, however, contain sufficient information to substantiate the assertion made in it that the UK companies named had not complied with OECD guidelines. We have again asked the chairman of the Panel of Experts for this information (most recently on 11 March) and once it has been provided, we will respond to the report in more detail.