If she will make a statement on the work of the national contact point in respect of allegations made by the UN panel of experts with regard to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The national contact point works to raise awareness of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines for multinational enterprises and to promote their use by companies in developing their own codes of conduct. When specific instances regarding their implementation are raised, such as by the UN expert panel on the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the national contact point contributes to the resolution of issues raised, for example, by offering a forum for discussion between interested parties.

The Minister will be aware that the UN panel concluded that the conflict in the Congo, which claimed the lives of up to 5 million people, was sustained as a result of what it described as the multi-billion dollar theft of the country's mineral assets by companies and other Governments, and yet the NCP process seems deeply flawed in investigating and considering those concerns. Avient Ltd has recently admitted to supplying services to the Zimbabwe defence force in the Congo, yet it seems to have had the mildest of tickings-off. Is he prepared to consider meeting me, other Members and non-governmental organisations to examine those grave concerns?

It is worth reminding the House that the UN expert panel was originally established to consider allegations of sanctions busting involving the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but found them to be unsubstantiated. However, a number of lines continue to be investigated, and I would of course be willing to meet Members to discuss the matter.