HC Deb 23 June 2003 vol 407 cc597-8W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the results were of his Department's Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Government's proposals to change the law on corporate killing. [118732]

Paul Goggins

The results of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) are still being assessed but the preliminary indications are that the costs of a change in the law will not be large. As made clear in the RIA, no new burdens will be placed on companies in terms of the standards with which they will be legally required to comply.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the legislation in force in relation to corporate killing. [118734]

Paul Goggins

Currently companies who cause death through systemic management failure may be prosecuted for the common law offence of gross negligence manslaughter, and are subject to a number of other statutory regimes relating to health and safety.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list recent meetings he has had with(a) companies and business leaders and (b) trade unions on the issue of corporate killing and possible legislation on it. [118735]

Paul Goggins

Home Office Ministers have met with a number of organisations to discuss the issue of corporate killing over the past few years. Most recently these includedBrendan Barber, General Secretary of the TU on 27 February 2003 Digby Jones, CBI Director General on 12 May 2003 William Moyes and deputation from the British Retail Consortium on 2 June 2003

In addition a number of meetings have been held with officials. Further meetings with key stakeholders will be convened over the next few months in order to inform the development of proposals for legislation on corporate killing.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his policy that Crown employees should be held accountable on the same basis as company directors under any new legislation on corporate killing. [119202]

Paul Goggins

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 20 May 2003 that firm proposals for legislation on corporate killing will be published before the end of this year. The position of Crown bodies in relation to any new proposals will be an issue for consideration. No decision has yet been made.