Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions the British Embassy in Lima has had with civil society groups campaigning on, or individuals affected by, health hazards created by UK-listed mining companies operating in Peru.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK Government has consistently supported the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is carrying out a National Baseline Assessment (NBA) of the implementation of the UNGPs. The NBA will include a case study of the extractive sector in Peru and an exploration of UNGP implementation.
Our Embassy in Lima promotes environmental, social and governance standards through open dialogue with the Peruvian Government, mining companies, civil society and local communities. Our Embassy leads a UN Voluntary Principles group that brings together the international community and private sector to drive implementation on security and human rights, including commissioning a roadmap on promoting sustainable mining in Peru.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compliance of UK-listed mining companies operations in Peru with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK Government has consistently supported the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is carrying out a National Baseline Assessment (NBA) of the implementation of the UNGPs. The NBA will include a case study of the extractive sector in Peru and an exploration of UNGP implementation.
Our Embassy in Lima promotes environmental, social and governance standards through open dialogue with the Peruvian Government, mining companies, civil society and local communities. Our Embassy leads a UN Voluntary Principles group that brings together the international community and private sector to drive implementation on security and human rights, including commissioning a roadmap on promoting sustainable mining in Peru.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to introduce legislation to mandate businesses to prevent human rights and environmental harms in their operations, subsidiaries and value chains.
Answered by Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (HM Treasury)
The Government launched a review in the Trade Strategy, into the UK's approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains.
The review is still progressing, harnessing insights from a range of stakeholders, including businesses, investors, trade unions, academia, civil society, affected communities, and international trading partners; and will consider the effectiveness of the UK's current regime and the merits of alternative measures to support responsible business practices, including mandatory and non-mandatory options. We shall update the House when the review is complete.
Asked by: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Bellamy on 16 April 2024 (HL Deb col 972), whether they intend to issue a public consultation on revisions to the Victims Code including to specify the need for interpreters and translators to be qualified professionals.
Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
We will consult on a new Victims’ Code in due course in order to ensure that we get the information and support for victims right.