Submitted by Jubilee Debt Campaign
Pressure is mounting on the Government to overhaul the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) after MPs voted today for a crackdown on its “secretive and unaccountable” operations.
Lisa Nandy MP’s Ten Minute Rule Bill received cross-party backing, including from Zac Goldsmith MP and Bob Russell MP, and was easily waved through to its second reading*.
The ECGD, headed by Vince Cable and Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, has been exposed for using taxpayers’ money to insure private exports which fuel climate change, poverty and human rights abuses in the developing world. The overwhelming support shown for the bill comes in addition to the 130 MPs who have so far signed an EDM urging reform of the ECGD.
Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on International Corporate Responsibility, said:
“I am delighted that the Bill to reform the ECGD was passed for second reading completely unopposed. Clearly there is cross-party support for reform and widespread concern over the activities the ECGD supports. I look forward to continue debating with colleagues and the government later in the year.”
* Due to limited parliamentary time the bill is unlikely to receive its second reading, as is the case with most Ten Minute Rule Bills.