asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they are taking to help ensure that the 1996 target of halving world hunger by 2015 is met. [HL4773]

The importance of the 1996 target was reaffirmed in the Millennium Summit declaration. The millennium development goals are at the centre of our work in fighting poverty and hunger. In the millennium declaration the international community explicitly linked hunger with the global poverty target. Transforming this commitment into action means tackling poverty and its root causes—and making sure that food security and nutrition concerns are integrated into poverty reduction processes.The Department for International Development is responsible for leading the UK Government's contribution to achievement of the millennium goals. A wide range of actions implemented by DfID and described in the departmental report for 2002 help ensure that the hunger target is met. These include promoting broad economic growth; better education, health and social protection; revitalising agriculture; and working to assure improved governance, peace and democracy. They have produced two key documents, one on the subject of

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, when implementing the European Union Race Directive in United Kingdom legislation, they intend to provide that the directive's provisions apply to indirect discrimination based on nationality as well as to indirect discrimination based on race and ethnicity. [HL4760]

Implementing the EC Article 13 Race Directive will involve making a number of amendments to the Race Relations Act 1976, including amending the existing definition of indirect discrimination.We are considering views which we received about this and other issues in the light of the proposals we set out in our public consultation document

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is their intention to amend Schedule 2, paragraph 3, of the Proceeds of Crime Bill (people trafficking) when the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill is enacted to incorporate the new offence of people trafficking as defined in that Bill. [HL4797]

It is our intention to ensure that the offence in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill of trafficking people for the purpose of controlling them in prostitution is added to Schedule 2, paragraph 3 of the Proceeds of Crime Bill.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to provide support and assistance to victims of trafficking as outlined in Article 6 of the United Nations Protocol on Trafficking with regard to making available legal, social and other support services to trafficked women working in the sex industry. [HL4806]

The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to sign the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) Protocol on the trafficking of human beings and is fully committed to implementing its measures.We set out in the White Paper

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to allow a "reflection delay" prior to the deportation of trafficked women as outlined in the European Commission discussion paper for a directive on short-term permits to stay granted to the victims of trafficking. [HL4807]

Arrangements already exist which enable the police to ask for someone subject to immigration control to be allowed to enter or remain in the United Kingdom where this would assist in the investigation of organised crime. These arrangements would permit a period of reflection but they are not offered automatically.The United Kingdom view is that these arrangements are best considered on a case-by-case basis and that a blanket category of treatment is not the way forward. Any blanket grant is open to abuse and may create a perverse incentive for traffickers to exploit more victims by suggesting that they will be granted automatic reflection delays if they are trafficked.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether and how they reconcile the assurances given by Lord Rooker on 23 April during the debate on the report of the EUC on the European arrest warrant that primary legislation would be necessary before the introduction of the measure (HL Deb, cols. 230–32) with their agreement to the proposals on 13 June in the Justice and Home Affairs Committee of the European Union. [HL4892]

The framework decision on the European arrest warrant and the surrender procedures between member states were adopted at the Justice and Home Affair (JHA) Council on 13 June, following the lifting of all the remaining parliamentary scrutiny reserves.The European arrest warrant will come into operation only if the Bill to give effect to it is approved by Parliament.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to improve the UK extradition laws. [HL4972]

At present it takes too long to extradite someone from the United Kingdom. Not only is this against the interests of justice and the victims of crime but it is the British taxpayer that foots the bill: paying for the fugitive to be detained and often funding their legal battle.The previous Home Secretary launched a review of extradition law and the Home Office published proposals for consultation in March last year. Since then the attacks on 11 September have added impetus to European Union (EU) plans for an EU-wide arrest warrant.The Government have already announced that we intend to legislate to bring this into effect. This will dramatically speed up the extradition process between EU states but not at the expense of fugitives' rights.It should also make it possible in some circumstances to return people to the United Kingdom who, under the old system, would not have been extradited.We also plan to streamline procedures for non-EU countries too.We are today publishing a consultation paper containing a draft Extradition Bill which outlines our proposals and invites all of those with an interest to comment.An Extradition Bill will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect Engish Partnerships to receive payments for development of the Dome site. [HL4732]

English Partnerships will receive payments for the development of its land on the Greenwich peninsula at the point when legal ownership of the site transfers from EP. Ownership will transfer on a plot by plot basis over the lifetime of the joint venture with Meridian Delta Limited (MDL) and will occur only after MDL has spent substantial sums on planning, marketing and installation of the infrastructure needed to support the redevelopment of the peninsula. Payments for the Dome itself will take the form of a share of profits, to be paid once the Dome is re-opened to the public. The precise timing of all these payments depends on when planning permission is granted and the precise phasing of development.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What human rights concerns they raised in the discussions with Mr Li Ruihuan, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, during his recent visit to the United Kingdom; and with what results. [HL4675]

My noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor raised a number of issues of current concern, including freedom of speech, Tibet and the need for dialogue with the Dalai Lama, Falun Gong, and the use of the death penalty. Mr Li replied along standard lines.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What they have done to assist the United Kingdom steel industry to face up to the United States' protectionist measures. [HL4740]

The Government fully support the European Commission's robust response in immediately pursuing WTO action and took a lead in pressing for EU safeguard action to protect the UK and EU steel industry against diversion of trade.We are also actively supporting UK companies in their efforts to secure product exclusions from the US measures.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assistance they are providing to agencies working with internally displaced persons in Azerbaijan. [HL4752]

The Department for International Development began providing support to refugee programmes in Azerbaijan in 1999. Financial commitments of £119,500 and £89,000 were made to Oxfam and the Red Cross respectively in that year. A further grant of £70,000 was made to Oxfam in 2000, followed later that year by a grant of £240,000 to UNFPA, whose programme is ongoing. The funds were used to provide basic healthcare and livelihood improvements for refugees living in temporary camps.The British Embassy in Baku has funded a project bringing together South Caucasus NGOs to discuss the problems of refugees. The embassy has also funded two projects to provide better education for refugee and internally displaced children.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they are taking bilaterally and multilaterally to seek reassurance that displaced Chechen people in Ingushetia will not be forced by direct or indirect pressure to return to Chechnya against their will and that all resettlement in Chechnya is genuinely voluntary. [HL4753]

We have not made any recent representations to the Russian authorities about the humanitarian situation in Ingushetia. Our bilateral discussions have instead focused on allegations of human rights violations in Chechnya. We have, however, supported and helped draft an EU demarche to the Russian Government stressing that any return of IDPs from Ingushetia to Chechnya must be fully voluntary and expressed doubt that this is currently realistic given the lack of basic amenities and security guarantees.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have recently discussed with the Government of the United States the conditions of prisoners held at Guantanamo in Cuba and the prospects for bringing them to trial or release; and, if so, with what result. [HL4792]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer my honourable friend the Member for North Warwickshire gave to my honourable friend the Member for the City of Chester in another place on 13 June (Official Report, col. 1397W). We remain in close touch with the US Government on the legal procedure to which the detainees might be subject.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are discussing with the civil and military authorities in Afghanistan the future of all prisoners held there as a result of military operations. [HL4793]

We made clear to the Afghan Interim Administration, and will continue to make clear to their successor, the Transitional Administration, that we expect them to respect their international obligations regarding prisoners currently being held in Afghanistan. We remain in regular contact with the International Commiittee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which closely monitors the situation and welfare of all prisoners.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment they have made of the level of public knowledge of matters relating to the European Union. [HL4801]

An opinion poll on public knowledge of, and attitudes to, the European Union was carried out by ICM for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in October 2001. The full results of the poll were published and placed in the Library of the House in December 2001.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of their report submitted to the United Nations Conference on Ageing. [HL4746]

My right honourable friend the Minister for Pensions delivered the United Kingdom's national statement at the United Nations Second World Assembly on Ageing held in Madrid from 8 April 2002 to 12 April 2002. A copy has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many temporary veterinary inspectors, while on the Government's temporary register of veterinary surgeons, have been found guilty of unprofessional conduct in each of the last 10 years. [HL4473]

As far as can be determined, no temporary veterinary inspectors (TVIs) have been found guilty of unprofessional conduct in each of the last 10 years while holding a TVI appointment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Whitty on 2 May

By 24 May 2002 the department had spent £295 million on cleansing and disinfection.The accounts of contractors used by Defra during the FMD outbreak to cleanse and disinfect premises have been the subject of detailed examination. It has necessitated Defra obtaining legal advice from a number of external law firms on whether sums claimed by contractors are valid and due.Wide-ranging issues have arisen on the accounts. These include legal issues such as matters of contractual interpretation, forensic accountancy issues and evidential issues involving the assessment of both a large amount of documentation and proofing of witnesses. Some of these disputes will inevitably result in court proceedings, although Defra remains committed to resolving matters by mediation where appropriate.In these circumstances it is not possible at present for reasons of legal and commercial confidentiality to disclose the number of claims that have been received and are still to be processed; the number of claims that contractors claim are now overdue; and the length of time each allegedly overdue claim has been outstanding.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Elliot Morley, MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on 2 May (HC Deb, 938W), whether road haulage contracts for the removal of foot and mouth carcasses in Northumberland were awarded as a result of the competitive tendering process; whether contracts awarded to Snowie were the outcome of the competitive tendering process; how many separate contracts were awarded; and in each case, how many other firms tendered. [HL4612]

Pursuant to the Written Answer by Elliot Morley, MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Defra, on 2 May (HC Deb, 938W), a road haulage contact was awarded to Snowie through the use of the negotiated procurement procedure without the prior publication of an official journal (OJEU) notice.Separate road haulage contracts were awarded as a result of the competitive tendering process to Banks; Yuill and Dodds; NDMR; Whitkirks; Beverley Ridley; and Blakey's Haulage. In each case a minimum of three to four other firms tendered.All contractors' performance was subject to ongoing review and management by quantity surveyors, forensic accountants and other technical specialists retained by Defra.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the United Kingdom is now a foot and mouth free area; and, if so, when they will lift the current movement restrictions. [HL4721]

The UK regained its FMD free status in January this year.The interim controls now in place are the result of a precautionary, step-by-step approach. These controls are designed to protect against the rapid spread of any new incursion of disease. They have already been relaxed in a number of ways in response to requests from the livestock industry and we hope to make other adjustments over the summer.The interim arrangements are without prejudice to decisions about a permanent movement regime which will be made after more detailed consideration of the recommendations of the Royal Society and Lessons Learned inquiries and full consultation with interested parties during the autumn.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they are taking to implement the Waste Incineration Directive. [HL4857]

The Department published on 20 July 2002 a consultation paper that sets out how the Government intend to implement EC Directive 2000/ 76/EC on the incineration of waste. It is aimed at operators of incineration and co-incineration plant, regulators, waste producers and waste managers, all of whom will be affected by the implementation of that directive. It is also aimed at waste and environmental interest groups which have an interest in environmentally sound regulation.The consultation raises a number of issues for consultation and includes a copy of the draft implementing regulations, directions to regulators and an explanatory commentary.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the 2001 review of sensitive areas as required by the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994. [HL4953]

Based on recommendations from the Environment Agency, we have reviewed the identification of sensitive areas in England in accordance with the criteria in Part I of Schedule I to the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994 (which transpose the European Council Directive (91/271/EEC) concerning urban waste water treatment.This review has resulted in the identification of 33 more water bodies in England as sensitive areas: 32 are because the waters have since the last review in 1997 been found to be eutrophic or may in the near future become eutrophic if protective action is not taken. Eutrophic waters are those which are, or may be, adversely (in terms of their ecology and quality) affected by discharges from sewage treatment works serving communities of more than 10,000 inhabitants.The remaining water body, the River Itchen in the Midlands, which supplies drinking water, has been identified on the basis of elevated levels of nitrate under the terms of the regulations.Identification of these areas will result in more stringent treatment being provided at 53 qualifying treatment works by water companies. This treatment involves reducing levels of phosphorus and/or nitrogen in discharges to tackle eutrophication and nitrate levels of these waters.These new requirements on water companies to remove these nutrients from sewage treatment work discharges will complement and add to the action required by farmers under the Nitrates Directive and by my department on diffuse pollution, which I also announced today.Lists of the new sensitive areas have today been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. Maps showing the location of all current sensitive areas (eutrophic) and (nitrate) will be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses and at offices of the Environment Agency in due course.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action is being taken to address diffuse pollution of water by agriculture; and how they intend to implement the Nitrates Directive in England in the light of consultation. [HL4954]

One year after the creation of Defra, it gives us enormous pleasure that what were different departments are now working well together to develop an integrated approach to the problems of pollution, and especially diffuse pollution from agriculture.The increased intensification of farm production and the great steps made to reduce point source pollution from factories and sewage works mean that, as the Policy Commission on Food and Farming noted, agriculture is now clearly one of the major contributors to the pollution of water. It is also a significant polluter of air.Over time we will need to take further steps to reduce pollution from agriculture but in a cost-effective way. We therefore need to involve farmers very closely in continuing work to achieve a cleaner and healthier environment. Many farmers are committed to protecting and enhancing the environment, but much more needs to be done to raise standards across all farms to the standards of the best and to tackle the specific problem of diffuse pollution.Over the next few years we will be implementing the EU directives we have signed up to in order to improve water quality. As part of this work, later this year we will be holding a more detailed consultation with all sectors to follow up our first general consultation on implementing the Water Framework Directive.Over 70 per cent of nitrates and over 40 per cent of phosphates in English waters originate from agricultural land. Up to a half of England's bathing waters are affected by short-term contamination by agricultural pollution, mainly by microbes from livestock manure being washed off farm land after rain. Excessive loads of fine silt are generated by soil erosion from intensively farmed land. Pesticides are contaminating drinking water sources, requiring expensive additional treatment at water works to remove pesticides before water can be supplied to consumers.No one farmer is responsible for this, but cumulatively diffuse pollution from farms is having a substantial impact on the quality of English waters. That is why we have begun a strategic review of diffuse water pollution from agriculture to identify cost-effective policy measures to prevent and control this pollution and to improve the sustainability of agriculture. We are co-ordinating this review with work announced in the Budget to review the particular role that economic instruments could play in tackling such pollution.As part of the open approach to policy development that we are seeking to adopt in the new department, I am publishing today a discussion document

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have decided to depart from the practice of governments in the past of providing information to the media about meetings of the Cabinet, including when and where the meetings were held and who attended them. [HL4641]

Successive administrations have regarded the ability of Ministers to meet and discuss policy issues in private to be essential for effective decision making. It has therefore never been the practice of governments to publish formal details of Cabinet meetings on a systematic basis.