To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the European Union regarding the resettlement of Roma inhabitants of the lead-contaminated camps at Osterode and Cesmin Lug; and to the authorities in the Serb enclave of northern Mitrovica regarding the evacuation of the inhabitants of the sites to locations in northern Mitrovica; and whether they will also raise with the European Union the provision of immediate medical treatment for those in the camps suffering from the effects of lead poisoning and malnutrition. [HL2254]

The Government are fully supportive of, and committed to, the international effort towards the closure of the lead contaminated camps at Cesmin Lug/Çesmin Llug and Osterode, and the successful and sustainable resettlement of the Roma inhabitants on uncontaminated land.

Our embassy in Pristina is working closely with parties and stakeholders involved in resettlement of the Roma, including the Kosovan Ministry for Communities and Returns, the municipal government of Mitrovica and the European Commission liaison office, and will continue to do so. These parties support resettlement in non-contaminated areas because this provides the most sustainable long-term solution for the inhabitants of the camps. Various NGOs provide nutritional and livelihood support and there are medical staff on hand. There is also access to the municipal hospital for those who need it.

We want to help ensure that resettlement efforts are fully co-ordinated in order to provide a sustainable future for the camp inhabitants. The municipality of Mitrovica has donated land to the rebuilding project, so that all the current inhabitants of the camps can be relocated, and the European Commission liaison office in Pristina has pledged €5 million in funding for the Roma Mahalla in Mitrovica.