ETHICAL INVESTMENT AT EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY

Early day motion 380, tabled 16 December 2002 by John Barrett (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 88 members.

That this House notes the work of Edinburgh University People and Planet group and the subsequent decision of the Edinburgh University Students' Association to endorse overwhelmingly a motion of ethical investment during its general meeting; congratulates those students who have chosen to highlight the issue on the university campus by campaigning to ensure the university's ú160 million worth of investments are only put into ethical companies which do not flout human rights, exploit workers, pollute heavily or irresponsibly sell armaments; further welcomes the decision of the University Court to make available previously confidential information about university investments as a first step in achieving these aims; calls however on the university to go further developing a fully accountable ethical investment policy; and calls on other universities in the United Kingdom to develop similar policies based on the shared values of their staff and students.

Signatures by party: Labour 53, Liberal Democrat 16, Labour/Co-operative 8, Scottish National Party 4, UUP 3, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2.