IMPORTED NATURAL STONE

Early day motion 711, tabled 26 January 2010 by Jim Sheridan (Labour). Signed by 58 members.

That this House notes that imports of natural sandstone seem to be rising, with 120,000 tonnes being brought into the UK in 2005; further notes that much of the stone comes from India; is concerned that the quarrying and production process in that country often involves the use of child labour, including children as young as six; is further concerned that health and safety protection is frequently absent with resulting widespread injuries and deaths and that many of the child workers are bonded and are therefore unable to leave their jobs; is alarmed that Anti-Slavery International has estimated that up to a million children work in India's stone quarries; and calls on consumers to buy imported sandstone from independently-verified sources such as those approved by the Ethical Trading Initiative.

Signatures by party: Labour 40, Liberal Democrat 6, DUP 3, Conservative 2, Independent 2, Scottish National Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.