Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 22 January (HL665), whether they will now answer the question put, namely, what assessment they have made of reports that the families of children working in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are seeking compensation for forced labour, unjust enrichment, negligent supervision, intentional infliction of emotional distress, wages promised but not paid, and the loss of assets, educational and business opportunities.

We are aware of the calls for compensation for forced labour in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and continue to monitor the situation. We do not comment on ongoing legal cases, but the British Government remains concerned about reports of modern slavery and child labour in DRC, and UK officials have raised these concerns with the government. The UK is working to prevent forced labour and child labour in DRC by focusing on improved transparency and governance in the mining sector, working with civil society and mining companies, including through programmes with the Carter Centre. The UK expects responsible businesses to respect human rights across their operations and in their international supply relationships. We actively encourage all states to implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These principles underline: the duty of a state to protect human rights; the responsibility of businesses to respect human rights; and the importance of access to remedy for victims of abuses, which is rights-compatible, transparent, equitable and predictable.