To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the risks to British businesses operating in China; and what support his Department provides to assist such businesses in operating in that country without contravening the provisions of the Bribery Act 2010.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), both in the UK and abroad, frequently advise companies on the specific risks of operating in overseas markets, including in China. Information can be found on the Overseas Business Risk section of the UKTI website

http://www.ukti.gov.uk/pt_pt/export/howwehelp/overseasbusinessrisk.html?null including a section dedicated to risks around bribery and corruption

http://www.ukti.gov.uk/pt_pt/export/howwehelp/overseasbusinessrisk/briberycorruption.html?null as well as country-specific risks in China

http://www.ukti.gov.uk/pt_pt/export/countries/asiapacific/fareast/china/overseasbusinessrisk.htmh

Additionally, as part of the FCO Charter for Business, FCO also regularly shares its political, economic and security analysis in written and oral briefings for UK business and publishes this analysis on the UKTI website to help companies understand and manage new and emerging risks in those markets.

On the specific question of the Bribery Act, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is a sponsor of the Business Anti-Corruption Portal. It is a comprehensive and practical business tool offering support to business to help them avoid and fight corruption. The portal is found at

http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/

It contains a number of country profiles, including China.