Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support the Government is providing to the DSEI arms exhibition in London from 12 to 15 September 2017; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Mark Garnier - Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Work and Pensions)
The Government provides a range of support to Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), including the provision of military assets. The Department for International Trade’s (DIT) Defence and Security Organisation invites a number of international delegates on behalf of the Government, including overseas Ministers and senior Government officials and military staff. All invitations to overseas delegations follow a stringent process of scrutiny and approval involving both DIT and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how the review into the work of the Steering Board of the UK National Contact Point set up further to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises will consider the effectiveness of the Steering Board's oversight role in monitoring and addressing how the UK National Contact Point handles allegations of corporate abuse and rights violations against UK companies.
Answered by Greg Hands
The UK Government recognises its commitments under the OECD Multi-National Enterprise Guidelines and maintaining a National Contact Point (NCP) which operates in line with international best practice. The NCP Steering Board contributes to this by oversight and monitoring of the effectiveness of the operation of the NCP, ensuring correct and fair procedures are followed in line with the established and published procedures for dealing with complaints.
The Steering Board was established in 2007 and has provided high quality expert advice and support to the NCP. Nevertheless, the Government believes that it is appropriate to undertake a light touch review of the composition and functions of the Board in light of experience. The UK NCP is also scheduled to undergo a peer review by the OECD during the second half of 2018, which will consider the effectiveness of the NCP’s structure and procedures.
Steering Board members, together with key stakeholder groups, including business and civil society, will be consulted as part of our review process. It is expected that the review will be completed in time to enable a new Steering Board to be appointed when the term of the current members expires in September 2017.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans he has to consult key stakeholders before the terms of reference of the review of the work of the Steering Board of the UK National Contact Point, set up further to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, are agreed by relevant Ministers.
Answered by Greg Hands
The UK Government recognises its commitments under the OECD Multi-National Enterprise Guidelines and maintaining a National Contact Point (NCP) which operates in line with international best practice. The NCP Steering Board contributes to this by oversight and monitoring of the effectiveness of the operation of the NCP, ensuring correct and fair procedures are followed in line with the established and published procedures for dealing with complaints.
The Steering Board was established in 2007 and has provided high quality expert advice and support to the NCP. Nevertheless, the Government believes that it is appropriate to undertake a light touch review of the composition and functions of the Board in light of experience. The UK NCP is also scheduled to undergo a peer review by the OECD during the second half of 2018, which will consider the effectiveness of the NCP’s structure and procedures.
Steering Board members, together with key stakeholder groups, including business and civil society, will be consulted as part of our review process. It is expected that the review will be completed in time to enable a new Steering Board to be appointed when the term of the current members expires in September 2017.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, who carries out external assessment of the work of the Steering Board of the UK National Contact Point set up further to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; when such an assessment will be undertaken; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of any internal review of the effectiveness of that Steering Board in terms of its (a) capacity to consult stakeholders and (b) ability to undertake comprehensive scrutiny.
Answered by Greg Hands
The UK Government recognises its commitments under the OECD Multi-National Enterprise Guidelines and maintaining a National Contact Point (NCP) which operates in line with international best practice. The NCP Steering Board contributes to this by oversight and monitoring of the effectiveness of the operation of the NCP, ensuring correct and fair procedures are followed in line with the established and published procedures for dealing with complaints.
The Steering Board was established in 2007 and has provided high quality expert advice and support to the NCP. Nevertheless, the Government believes that it is appropriate to undertake a light touch review of the composition and functions of the Board in light of experience. The UK NCP is also scheduled to undergo a peer review by the OECD during the second half of 2018, which will consider the effectiveness of the NCP’s structure and procedures.
Steering Board members, together with key stakeholder groups, including business and civil society, will be consulted as part of our review process. It is expected that the review will be completed in time to enable a new Steering Board to be appointed when the term of the current members expires in September 2017.
Asked by: Ann Clwyd (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether his Department plans to respond formally to the findings and recommendations set out in Amnesty International's report, entitled Obstacle course: How the UK's National Contact Point handles human rights complaints under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, published on 19 February 2016.
Answered by Greg Hands
The Government has noted the content and recommendations contained in the 2016 Amnesty International report.
The Government has no plans to provide a formal response. However, the National Contact Point (NCP) has discussed the report with Amnesty International and where appropriate, the report’s conclusions will be considered as part of the normal process for improving the operations of the NCP and the Steering Board.