Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to help promote ethical working practices in Bangladeshi factories that supply clothing stores in the UK.

My department is committed to improving conditions in factories which supply clothing to UK stores. We support the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) which is a leading alliance of British companies, trade unions and non-governmental organisations working together to improve the lives of workers around the world, including in Bangladesh. In the ready-made garment industry we work alongside others as ambassadors focussing on respect for labour rights, structural integrity of buildings and occupational safety and health, and responsible business conduct.