In response to the Government's publication of a paper setting out the role of  the private sector in development, Harriet Harman said:

"The private sector has an important role to play in international development and I welcome the Government's recognition of that. But, although the private sector can be a force for good, it can also be an engine of exploitation. The Government must insist on  transparency and accountability from the private sector, particularly in the extractive industries, to ensure that those in the poorest countries of the world benefit from the wealth beneath their feet.
 
"This paper talks about the importance of transparency and fighting corruption but what it doesn't mention is that the Government delayed and then watered down the Bribery Act. That  was  very disappointing and is not the international leadership that people in the developing world need"
 
"The private sector must never be a substitute for overseas aid. The Government must keep its promise to spend 0.7% of GNI on aid by 2013"