Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to make it compulsory for companies to comply with the 2013 Accord on Fire and Safety in Bangladesh.

The 2013 Accord on Fire and Safety in Bangladesh is a voluntary, independent, legally binding agreement between Trade unions and Brands. The UK Government is not able to mandate companies to join but all UK companies have been encouraged to do so.

The UK supports a programme which, amongst other activities, conducts structural and fire assessments of those factories not covered by the Accord or the Alliance and ensures that they are closed down or remedied if found to be at risk of fire or collapse.