Impact of Bribery Act 2010 on UK defence, aerospace and construction
The House of Lords Bribery Act 2010 Committee will hear evidence from representatives of the UK defence, aerospace and construction companies about the impact of the Bribery Act 2010 on their business and operational practices in the UK and overseas. The session will take place on Tuesday 11 September.
The inquiry is tasked with examining: the effectiveness of the Bribery Act 2010; whether there has been stricter prosecution of corrupt conduct, a higher conviction rate, and a reduction of such conduct; the impact of the Act on SMEs; and the use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements in relation to bribery offences.
Giving evidence to the Committee at 10.30am will be:
- Philip Bramwell – Group General Counsel, BAE Systems plc
- Joanna Talbot – Chief Counsel, Compliance & Regulation, BAE Systems plc
- Mark Gregory – General Counsel, Rolls-Royce plc
Questions are likely to include:
- How often do you think British defence companies encounter bribery in their day-to-day operations within the UK and overseas?
- Has the Bribery Act deterred your businesses from exporting abroad, or otherwise harmed your ability to compete with companies from countries with less stringent anti-bribery measures?
- What does the Government currently do to assist defence companies with understanding and complying with the Bribery Act? Should it do more?
- Should the UK make specific allowances for facilitation payments?
• Have your companies and your sub-contractors developed effective anti-bribery policies as a result of the Bribery Act? - How does the Bribery Act compare with equivalent legislation in other countries?
Giving evidence to the Committee at 11:40am will be:
- Keely Hibbitt, Group Head of Business Integrity, Balfour Beatty plc
- Chris Blythe, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Builders,
- Peter Carden, UK Anti-Corruption Forum
Questions are likely to include:
- How prevalent is bribery within the UK's construction sector, and how often do British companies encounter bribery in their day-to-day operations within the UK and overseas?
- Does the Bribery Act and its associated guidance adequately account for the specific challenges and complexities faced by the construction industry?
- What does your company do to tackle petty bribery, of the kind which might occur on building sites and with contractors?
- Has the Bribery Act deterred British construction companies from exporting abroad, or otherwise harmed their competitiveness in relation to companies from countries with less stringent anti-bribery measures?
The evidence session will start at 10.30am in Committee Room 4.
