What Labour has said

12 April 2012

19 October 1990: "It seems that the British courts have confirmed that companies are not responsible for their actions in regard to the safety of their operations.''

2 October 1997: "Many countries do have laws which provide for conviction of directors of companies where it's claimed that, as a result of dreadful negligence by the company as a whole, people have lost their lives. There's a strong argument for having such provisions so that people cannot be criminally negligent and allow innocent people to go to their deaths, and suffer no punishment."
Jack Straw, then home secretary, announcing plans for a new corporate killing law at the Labour Party Conference.

23 May 2000: "The present law in this area is unclear ... where corporations are concerned, it is ineffective. Such defects can cause real problems and, indeed, distress, particularly where they mean the criminal law is unable to convict anyone.... The law needs to be clear and effective in order to secure public confidence."
Jack Straw in the document: "Reforming the law on involuntary manslaughter: the Government's proposals".

16 May 2001: "Law reform is necessary to make provisions against corporate manslaughter."
Labour's 2001 general election manifesto.

6 March 2002: "We are committed to introducing legislation on the issue as soon as parliamentary time allows, but there is no timetable."
Home Office comment today.