Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of international efforts to improve levels of safety and conditions of work in Bangladesh's garment industry.

I spent most of last week in Bangladesh, assessing the progress that has been made one year on from the tragedy of Rana Plaza. Steps have been taken to improve working conditions in the garment sector, including through factory inspections and strengthening the labour inspection regime. The UK's support is focused on all areas where action is needed: improving building safety and working conditions, empowering workers and urging buyers to take responsibility for their supply chains.