REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

That this House commends the original National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and looks forward to completion of its review; calls on the Government to reiterate its commitment to the human rights responsibilities of UK businesses abroad; notes with concern reports by Traidcraft of deaths, health problems and serious injuries caused by pollution from UK based businesses, including their reporting of a UK listed company releasing sulphurous gases from its copper smelting plant in Zambia, causing breathing problems for the local population; further notes with concern Traidcraft's statement that despite the harm associated with the operations of a few irresponsible UK companies there is presently nothing in UK criminal law to hold to account those companies that do not act responsibly; and calls on the Government to remedy this situation through this review process by ensuring the elimination of obstacles preventing the prosecution of irresponsible British companies causing serious harm in developing countries and the introduction of legislation to this end.