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modern slavery committee, primark, sainsbury, tesco

Joint Committee hears evidence from supply chains

10 March 2014

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The Joint Committee on the Draft Modern Slavery Bill holds two sessions Tuesday 11 March 2014. Both sessions will take place in Committee Room 8, Palace of Westminster.

In the morning the Committee will hear from Primark, Sainsbury and Tesco on how far they believe corporations should be responsible for eradicating slavery from their supply chains and whether a legislative or non-legislative approach is best:

In the afternoon the Committee will be looking at how effective and enforceable the Bill’s provisions will be, and what effect changes to legal aid and immigration law will have.

Witnesses

10.15am

  • Paul Lister, Company Secretary of Associated British Foods plc (retail division Primark)
  • Giles Bolton, Ethical Trading Director, Tesco
  • Judith Batchelar, Director of Brand, Sainsbury's

2.15pm

  • Caroline Young, Deputy Director, and Liam Vernon, Head of the UK Human Trafficking Centre, National Crime Agency Organised Crime Command
  • Sarah Rapson, Director General, UK Visas and Immigration
  • Zofia Duszynska, Legal Director and Shauna Gillan, Legal Officer, Immigration Law Practitioners' Association

The Committee has is inquiring into the content and form of the draft Bill, its likely effectiveness and the contribution it would, if enacted, make to tackling modern slavery. Detailed proposals for alternative wording are also welcome.

The draft Bill proposes to consolidate and simplify existing criminal offences relating to slavery and human trafficking and introduce civil orders to restrict the activity of those involved in or convicted of slavery and trafficking offences.  The draft Bill also proposes the appointment of an Anti-Slavery Commissioner to encourage good practice in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of offences. The draft Bill was published on 16 December 2013 alongside a white paper detailing the Government’s non-legislative approach to modern slavery.

In particular the Committee is examining:

  • Would the draft Bill be effective in reducing the incidence of and preventing modern slavery?
  • Are there other provisions which should be included in the draft Bill?
  • What non-legislative action needs to be taken to ensure effective implementation of the draft Bill?
  • Does the draft Bill achieve its objectives effectively and fairly?
  • Does the draft Bill provide for adequate safeguarding of survivors of slavery and trafficking?
  • How could the proposals for the Anti-Slavery Commissioner be improved?  

For more information and guidance on submitting evidence

Further information

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