LITTLEWOODS AND ETHICAL TRADING

Early day motion 644, tabled 3 February 2003 by Linda Perham (Labour). Signed by 77 members.

That this House notes with concern Littlewoods' withdrawal from the Ethical Trading Initiative; believes that this is an example of how voluntary initiatives for business to improve their ethical performance can fail, leading in this case to reduced monitoring of supply chains in accordance with the International Labour Organisation's core Labour Standards; notes that there are fewer incentives for businesses with less of a public profile than Littlewoods to comply with such initiatives; and calls on the Government to examine more efficacious methods of promoting corporate accountability in line with its commitments made at the World Summit on Sustainable development in Johannesburg.

Signatures by party: Labour 50, Liberal Democrat 13, Labour/Co-operative 5, Scottish National Party 4, UUP 3, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.