Douglas Alexander, on a previous visit to Southampton
INTERNATIONAL development secretary Douglas Alexander today praised Southampton's efforts in promoting fair trade.
He came to Southampton Solent University to meet members of the Southampton Fair Trade Group and see some of the Fair Trade items on sale across the city, including coffee, chocolate and toys.
Mr Douglas, whose wife is Southampton born and bred, was presented with two organic cotton bags and a Fair Trade directory for Southampton.
He said: "These kinds of effort you are making in a city of Southampton is making a huge difference to the lives and communities of people you will probably never meet.
"Their lives are being transformed by being allowed to do a fair day's work for a fair day's pay."
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