Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of China about reports that Uighur Muslims are being recruited for forced labour in Xinjiang; what assessment they have made of the risk that the supply chains of (1) UK, and (2) UK-based companies could include products manufactured using such forced labour; and what guidance they have given to UK and UK-based companies in this regard.

Reports indicating that forced labour is being used in Xinjiang adds to the growing body of evidence about the disturbing situation that Uyghurs and other minorities are facing in the region. We regularly raise concerns about Xinjiang at the UN and directly with the Chinese Government. We are also aware of the risks to supply chains in the UK and officials have discussed the issue with businesses and industry standard setting organisations. As set out in our online Overseas Business Risk guidance, businesses involved in investing in Xinjiang, with parts of their supply chains in Xinjiang, or with any other business involvement in the province should consider conducting appropriate due diligence to satisfy themselves that their activities do not support, or risk being seen to support, any human rights violations or abuses.