Session 2014 - 15
Internet Publications
Other Bills before Parliament


 
 

Public Bill Committee: 11 September 2014                

180

 

Modern Slavery Bill, continued

 
 

Mark Durkan

 

NC19

 

To move the following Clause—

 

“Establishment of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner

 

(1)    

There is to be an office of Anti-Slavery Commissioner (in this section “the

 

Commissioner”).

 

(2)    

The Commissioner shall be appointed by the Secretary of State, following a pre-

 

appointment review by Parliament of the candidate proposed by the Secretary of

 

State.

 

(3)    

The Commissioner may appoint their own staff.”

 


 

Mark Durkan

 

NC20

 

To move the following Clause—

 

“General function and powers of Commissioner

 

(1)    

The Commissioner shall—

 

(a)    

monitor trafficking, slavery, exploitation, servitude, and forced or

 

compulsory labour, the fulfilment of international obligations and the

 

effectiveness of national legislation and policy;

 

(b)    

issue proposals, recommendations, statements, opinions and advice

 

relevant to the fight against trafficking, slavery, exploitation, servitude,

 

forced or compulsory labour and to the realisation of the rights of

 

victims;

 

(c)    

engage with international organisations on trafficking, slavery,

 

exploitation, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, child protection,

 

and other relevant issues;

 

(d)    

report annually to Parliament on trafficking, slavery, exploitation,

 

servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and related issues;

 

(e)    

periodically review the offences and related policy of trafficking and

 

slavery to ensure that they reflect the UK’s obligations under the

 

Trafficking Convention and Trafficking Directive and that other

 

international instruments are consistently applied to all trafficked,

 

enslaved or exploited persons;

 

(f)    

periodically review public authorities’ compliance with their duties

 

under international and national legislation and policy in relation to

 

trafficking, slavery, exploitation, servitude and forced and compulsory

 

labour; and

 

(g)    

provide an impact assessment on the trafficking, slavery, exploitation,

 

servitude, and forced or compulsory labour implications for government

 

trade deals and trade and aid policy.

 

(2)    

The Commissioner is responsible for reviewing the practical implementation of

 

the non-prosecution and non-punishment of trafficked, enslaved and/or exploited

 

persons, and in doing so must have particular regard to women and children.

 

(3)    

The Commissioner shall, specifically in respect of victims—

 

(a)    

encourage persons exercising functions or engaged in activities affecting

 

trafficked, enslaved or exploited persons to take account of the views and

 

interests of victims;


 
 

Public Bill Committee: 11 September 2014                

181

 

Modern Slavery Bill, continued

 
 

(b)    

consult with and advise the Government on the views and interests of

 

trafficked, enslaved or exploited persons;

 

(c)    

consider the operation of complaints procedures relating to trafficked,

 

enslaved or exploited persons;

 

(d)    

consider any other matters relating to the services for, and interests and

 

outcomes of trafficked, enslaved or exploited persons;

 

(e)    

be responsible for reviewing the practical implementation of the

 

provision in this Bill for the non-prosecution of and non-application of

 

penalties to trafficked, enslaved or exploited persons and victims of

 

forced or compulsory labour, and in doing so must have particular regard

 

to women and children; and

 

(f)    

publish a report on any matter in connection with trafficking, slavery,

 

exploitation, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour considered by

 

the Commissioner, which may include recommendations.

 

(4)    

The Commissioner must take reasonable steps to involve trafficked, enslaved

 

and/or exploited persons in the discharge of his/her function under this section,

 

and in particular to—

 

(a)    

ensure that trafficked, enslaved or exploited persons are made aware of

 

the Commissioner’s function and how they may communicate with the

 

Commissioner, and

 

(b)    

consult trafficked, enslaved or exploited persons, and organisations

 

working with them on the matters the Commission proposes to consider.

 

(5)    

The Commissioner is not obliged under this section to conduct an investigation

 

of the case of an individual trafficked, enslaved or exploited person. The

 

Commissioner may, however—

 

(a)    

investigate a particular case and/or intervene as a third party in a

 

particular case where the case raises issues of public policy of relevance

 

to other trafficked, enslaved or exploited persons; or

 

(b)    

investigate any decision or recommendation made, or any act done or

 

omitted, in respect of any trafficked, enslaved or exploited person.

 

(6)    

All public authorities must supply the Commissioner with such information in

 

that person’s possession or control relating to those functions as the

 

Commissioner may reasonably request for the purposes of his function under this

 

section (provided that the information is information which that person may,

 

apart from this section (6), lawfully disclose to the Commissioner).

 

(7)    

Where the Commissioner has published a report under this section containing

 

recommendations in respect of any person exercising functions under any

 

enactment, he may require that person to state in writing, within such period as

 

the Commissioner may reasonably require, what action the person has taken or

 

proposes to take in response to the recommendations.

 

(8)    

The Secretary of State must not take steps or impose measures that may impair,

 

or may appear to impair, the Commissioner’s independence and shall ensure that

 

the Commissioner is, to the extent the Commissioner is able, to determine,

 

without limitation (other than as prescribed in this Bill)—

 

(a)    

the Commissioner’s activities;

 

(b)    

the Commissioner’s timetables;

 

(c)    

the Commissioner’s priorities; and

 

(d)    

the Commissioner’s resources and funding.”

 



 
 

Public Bill Committee: 11 September 2014                

182

 

Modern Slavery Bill, continued

 
 

Fiona Mactaggart

 

NC21

 

To move the following Clause—

 

“Procuring sex for payment

 

(1)    

A person commits an offence under this section if he or she procures sexual

 

intercourse or any other sexual act, whether for himself or herself or for another

 

person, in return for payment.

 

(2)    

a “payment” includes—

 

(a)    

payment that is promised or given by another person;

 

(b)    

provision of non-financial benefits, including, but not limited to, drugs or

 

alcohol.”

 


 

Sarah Teather

 

Fiona Mactaggart

 

NC22

 

To move the following Clause—

 

“National referral mechanism

 

(1)    

The Secretary of State must by order establish a mechanism for the identification

 

and protection of victims of modern slavery offences as defined in Part 1 of this

 

Act.

 

(2)    

In establishing the mechanism the Secretary of State must have regard to the the

 

desirability of making provision for the following matters—

 

(a)    

the means and process for the identification and referral to the

 

mechanism of potential victims of modern slavery;

 

(b)    

the provision to a child of an advocate in accordance with section 41 of

 

this Act, if no such advocate has already been appointed upon

 

identification of the child as a victim or referral to the mechanism;

 

(c)    

the appropriate stages in the formal identification process of a victim of

 

modern slavery, the tests to be applied at each stage, and the timescales

 

within which each stage must be completed;

 

(d)    

the suitability, qualification and necessary training of a person or

 

organisation to fulfil the processes at paragraphs (2)(a) or (c);

 

(e)    

the principle that an organisation whose functions include determining

 

asylum and immigration is unsuitable to deal with the matters referred to

 

in paragraph (c).

 

(f)    

the care assistance or services which shall be provided as a minimum to

 

all potential and formally identified victims of modern slavery;

 

(g)    

the provision of an internal review and appeal of a decision under

 

paragraphs (2)(a) or (c).”

 



 
 

Public Bill Committee: 11 September 2014                

183

 

Modern Slavery Bill, continued

 
 

Mr David Hanson

 

Diana Johnson

 

Phil Wilson

 

NC23

 

To move the following Clause—

 

“Enabling provision to enable the Gangmasters Licensing Authority to tackle

 

modern day slavery

 

(1)    

The Secretary of State shall undertake a review of the Gangmasters Licensing

 

Authority’s remit with regard to section 2 of the Act and the necessity and

 

evidence for an extension of work covered by the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act

 

2004, and lay a report in both Houses of Parliament within one year of this Bill

 

obtaining Royal Assent.

 

(2)    

The Secretary of State may by order amend section 3 of the Gangmasters

 

(Licensing) Act 2004 to include other areas of work where the Secretary of State

 

believes abuse and exploitation of workers or modern slavery or trafficking may

 

be taking place.”

 


 

Mr David Hanson

 

Diana Johnson

 

Phil Wilson

 

NC24

 

To move the following Clause—

 

“Protection from slavery for overseas domestic workers

 

(1)    

All overseas and domestic workers including those working for staff of

 

diplomatic missions shall be entitled to—

 

(a)    

change their employer (but not work sector) while in the United

 

Kingdom;

 

(b)    

renew their domestic worker or diplomatic domestic worker visa for a

 

period not exceeding six months as long as they remain in employment

 

and are able to support themselves adequately without recourse to public

 

funds;

 

(c)    

a three month temporary visa permitting them to live in the United

 

Kingdom for the purposes of seeking alternative employment as an

 

overseas domestic worker where there is evidence that the worker has

 

been a victim of modern slavery.”

 


 

Sir Andrew Stunell

 

NC25

 

To move the following Clause—

 

“Quoted company’s duty to prepare strategic report: impact of supply chains on

 

human rights

 

(2)    

That section 414C, Contents of strategic report, of the Companies Act 2006 be

 

amended as follows.


 
 

Public Bill Committee: 11 September 2014                

184

 

Modern Slavery Bill, continued

 
 

(3)    

In subsection (7), paragraph (b)(iii), insert “, including the impact of the

 

company’s supply chain of goods and services on them.”

 

Member’s explanatory statement

 

This New Clause imposes on quoted companies a requirement to report on the impact of their

 

supply chains on social, community and human rights issues in their annual strategic reports.

 


 

Mr David Hanson

 

Diana Johnson

 

Phil Wilson

 

NC26

 

To move the following Clause—

 

“Independent legal guardian for trafficked children

 

(1)    

An independent legal guardian shall be appointed to represent the best interests

 

of each child who is a separated chidl and/or may be a trafficked, enslaved or

 

exploited person pursuant to this Bill if the person who has parental responsibility

 

for the child fulfils any of the conditions set out in section 17(4).

 

(2)    

The Secretary of State shall establish an independent body to be known as “the

 

Child Guardianship Service” which shall—

 

(a)    

by order set out the arrangements for the recruitment, vetting and

 

appointment of a suitably qualified independent child guardian with the

 

requisite professional qualifications immediately after a child is

 

identified as a separated child and/or a potential victim of trafficking,

 

enslaving or exploitation;

 

(b)    

by order set out requirements for the training courses to be completed

 

before a person may discharge duties as an independent child guardian;

 

(c)    

by order set out the arrangements for the supervision of persons

 

discharging duties as an independent child guardian;

 

(d)    

monitor the activities of the independent child guardians and by order

 

provide an accessible individual complaint mechanism for all children

 

under the Child Guardianship Service;

 

(e)    

by order set out the arrangements for the provision of support services for

 

persons discharging duties as an independent child guardian; and

 

(f)    

by order designate organisations as a “recognised charitable

 

organisation” for the purpose of this section.

 

(3)    

Under the supervision of the Child Guardianship Service, the appointed

 

independent legal child guardian shall be responsible at a minimum for—

 

(a)    

ensuring that all decisions relating to the child are made in the child’s best

 

interests and, where reasonably practicable, are consistent with the

 

child’s welfare after ascertaining the child’s wishes and feelings in

 

relation to those decisions;

 

(b)    

advocating for the child, if a potential trafficked, enslaved or exploited

 

person, to receive identification as such, appropriate care, safe

 

accommodation, medical treatment, including psychological assistance,

 

education, translation and interpretation services;

 

(c)    

assisting the child to access legal and other representation where

 

necessary, including, where appropriate, appointing and instructing the

 

solicitor representing the child on all matters relevant to the interests of

 

the child;


 
 

Public Bill Committee: 11 September 2014                

185

 

Modern Slavery Bill, continued

 
 

(d)    

consulting, advising and informing the child victim of the child’s legal

 

rights;

 

(e)    

keeping the child informed of all relevant legal and administrative

 

proceedings;

 

(f)    

contributing to the identification of a plan to safeguard and promote the

 

long-term welfare of the child based on an individual assessment of that

 

child’s best interests;

 

(g)    

providing a link between the child an various organisations who may

 

provide services to the child;

 

(h)    

assisting in establishing contact with the child’s family, where the child

 

so wishes and it is in the child’s best interests;

 

(i)    

where appropriate, liaising with an immigration officer handling the

 

child’s case in conjunction with the child’s legal representative;

 

(j)    

accompanying the child to all relevant interviews, including those

 

relating to police, welfare, immigration and compensation; and

 

(k)    

accompanying the child whenever the child moves to new

 

accommodation.

 

(4)    

Section 17(1) shall apply if the person who has parental responsibility for the

 

child—

 

(a)    

is suspected of taking part in the trafficking of human beings;

 

(b)    

has another conflict of interest with the child;

 

(c)    

is not in contact with the child;

 

(d)    

is a local authority; or

 

(e)    

is in a country outside the United Kingdom.

 

(5)    

In section 17(1), an independent child guardian may be an employee of—

 

(a)    

an independent statutory body; or

 

(b)    

a recognised charitable organisation.

 

(6)    

A person discharging duties as an independent child guardian shall not discharge

 

any other statutory duties in relation to a child for whom they are providing

 

assistance under this section.

 

(7)    

Where an independent child guardian is appointed under section 17(1), the

 

authority of the independent child guardian in relation to the child shall be

 

recognised by any relevant body.

 

(8)    

In section 17(7), a “relevant body” means a person or organisation—

 

(a)    

which provides services to the child;

 

(b)    

to which a child makes an application for services; or

 

(c)    

to which the child needs access in relation to being a potential victim of

 

trafficking, enslaving or exploitation.”

 


 

Diana Johnson

 

Mr David Hanson

 

Phil Wilson

 

NC27

 

To move the following Clause—

 

“General duty to identify, assist, support and promote the welfare of victims

 

(1)    

Public authorities have a general duty—


 
 

Public Bill Committee: 11 September 2014                

186

 

Modern Slavery Bill, continued

 
 

(a)    

to take all reasonable steps to identify persons who are, may be, or may

 

have been, trafficked, enslaved or exploited persons;

 

(b)    

to take all reasonable steps to provide assistance and support (including

 

to refer persons to other agencies for assistance and support) on a

 

consensual and informed basis, and to promote the welfare of persons

 

who are, may be, or may have been, trafficked, enslaved or exploited

 

persons, including, as a minimum the provision of—

 

(i)    

standards of living capable of ensuring their subsistence, through

 

such measures as the provision of appropriate and secure

 

accommodation, psychological and material assistance;

 

(ii)    

access to necessary medical treatment;

 

(iii)    

translation and interpretation services;

 

(iv)    

counselling and information, in particular regarding their legal

 

rights and the services available to them, in a language that they

 

can understand;

 

(v)    

assistance to enable their rights and interests to be presented and

 

considered at appropriate stages of criminal proceedings against

 

offenders; and

 

(vi)    

access to education for children;

 

(c)    

to make arrangements for ensuring that any services provided by another

 

person for the purpose of discharging the public authority’s function are

 

provided in accordance with the general duty in section 16(1) above; and

 

(d)    

to have due regard to the fact that an individual is, or may have been a

 

trafficked, enslaved or exploited person when making decisions affecting

 

that individual.”

 


 

Diana Johnson

 

Mr David Hanson

 

Phil Wilson

 

NC28

 

To move the following Clause—

 

“Establishment and function of the National Referral Mechanism (“NRM”)

 

(1)    

The Secretary of State must establish an NRM to—

 

(a)    

identify trafficked, enslaved or exploited persons within the United

 

Kingdom;

 

(b)    

provide assistance and support to a person who may have been trafficked,

 

enslaved or exploited from the time at which that person is first referred

 

into the NRM until such time as a final and conclusive determination is

 

made that they are not such a person; and

 

(c)    

ensure that the rights of such persons are protected and promoted in a

 

manner which discharges the Government’s obligations under the

 

Trafficking Convention and the Trafficking Directive regarding the

 

identification and protection of victims, including measures for

 

assistance and support including, at a minimum, the measures referred to

 

in section 16(1).

 

(2)    

The Secretary of State must, in regulations, specify the procedures to be followed

 

to implement the NRM and the procedures to be applied by the NRM including

 

to give effect to the right to a renewable residence permit provided for in sections

 

16(11) and (12) below.


 
previous section contents continue
 

© Parliamentary copyright
Revised 11 September 2014