Human Rights Due Diligence Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateBaroness Goudie
Main Page: Baroness Goudie (Labour - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Baroness Goudie's debates with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
(3 years, 5 months ago)
Lords ChamberThe noble Earl is perhaps getting a bit ahead of himself, as we are still considering the Environment Bill—it is not in law yet. When it is, as I hope it will be, details on the enforcement regime will be subject to further consultation and regulations will be subject to the affirmative procedure so that the House can debate them fully.
Given the complexity of supply chains and the way business with indigenous populations is conducted, will the Government give an undertaking that human rights should be written into the contracts of the small companies that then sell to larger companies, as well as the need for satisfactory equal pay and the gender lens? This is a complex situation and we need to get a grip of it and have it written into contracts.
The noble Baroness is right; this is indeed a complicated subject with a lot of different areas for consideration. We need to be careful not to impose undue burdens, particularly on small businesses.