Asked by: Shabana Mahmood (Labour - Birmingham, Ladywood)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her Department plans to take to prevent (a) cotton from Xinjiang and (b) other unethically sourced products from entering the UK.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
The United Kingdom has taken a leading international role in holding China to account for its violations of rights in Xinjiang, including in respect of credible evidence of forced labour. We have repeatedly condemned such violations being perpetrated against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. Most recently, on 6th October, we worked with Germany to deliver a joint statement – with 38 other countries – at the United Nations.
We advise businesses with supply chain links in Xinjiang to conduct appropriate due diligence so they may satisfy themselves that their activities do not support, or risk being seen to support, any violations of rights. In addition, research into forced labour in Xinjiang, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), has been crucial to raising awareness of this issue with businesses.
Asked by: Shabana Mahmood (Labour - Birmingham, Ladywood)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether a country's record on human rights is a criterion in discussions on potential trade deals to be secured after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Conor Burns
The UK has long supported the promotion of our values globally and we remain committed to our international obligationsWe are clear that more trade does not have to come at the expense of human rights.Our experience is that political freedom and the rule of law are vital underpinnings for both prosperity and stability and that, by having strong economic relationships with partners, we are able to have open discussions on a range of difficult issues, including human rights.
Asked by: Shabana Mahmood (Labour - Birmingham, Ladywood)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she has held discussions with her Chinese counterpart on alleged human rights violations against Uighur Muslims as part of negotiation on a trade deal with that country.
Answered by Conor Burns
We remain committed to promoting human rights in Xinjiang, and the Government’s continued multilateral and bilateral activity with China demonstrates this.
We are not currently negotiating a free trade agreement with China. China is an important trading partner for the UK.
Asked by: Shabana Mahmood (Labour - Birmingham, Ladywood)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, on what basis the requirement for a cultural fit for prospective contractors will be judged.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
I refer the hon Member for Birmingham, Ladywood to the answer I gave to the hon Member for Ochil and South Perthshire on 7 March 2017, UIN:66362.
Asked by: Shabana Mahmood (Labour - Birmingham, Ladywood)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how the requirement for a cultural fit for prospective contractors will be linked to the subject matter of the contract.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
I refer the hon Member for Birmingham, Ladywood to the answer I gave to the hon Member for Ochil and South Perthshire on 7 March 2017, UIN: 66362.