Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the 2013 meeting convened by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute in co-operation with the Vienna International Justice Institute and the International Coloured Gemstone Association, what steps the Government is taking to promote the establishment of a mechanism for the traceability and certification of ethical origin of coloured gemstones; and if she will make a statement.

The Government is supporting international efforts to promote ethical sourcing of minerals. We contributed to the development of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict Affected and High Risk Areas. We are a founding member of the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals, which works with industry and civil society to share best practice on mineral traceability and certification schemes. We are also working to improve the livelihoods of artisanal miners in Rwanda and Zimbabwe.