Lib Dem Conference: `Outlaw the child exploiters'

CHILD LABOUR

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS toughened their approach to child labour yesterday, calling for sanctions to be imposed on countries that tolerated such practices. Delegates passed proposals to tackle child slavery and the use of children for prostitution and pornography.

Supporting the motion, Liz Lynne, the party's MEP for the North West region, said at the moment 250 million children were being used for labour worldwide.

But Dr Jenny Tongue, the MP for Richmond Park, and the party's international development spokesman, warned that sanctions against such countries could be counter-productive.

However, Sharon Bowles, who moved the motion, told delegates: "There is a time for diplomacy, but not here. We want to be a beacon for human rights in a beacon country for human rights."