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Written Answers
Thursday, 9th May 2002.
East Timor
Lord Stallard asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How the United Kingdom will be represented in East Timor after independence.[HL4196]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): The UK has played a leading role in rebuilding East Timor and preparing for self-government there. We have so far committed more than £30 million for reconstruction and rehabilitation—including £12 million from DfID for the first three years after independence. We will upgrade the existing British office in Dili to an embassy on independence and Hamish St Clair Daniel will be the first British Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of East Timor. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Mr Ben Bradshaw, will represent HMG at the Independence Day celebrations in Dili on 20 May.
Camp X-Ray: UK Detainees
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 27 March (WA 47), whether they will seek an assurance from the United States Government that they will treat all United Kingdom detainees in accordance with the obligations imposed by the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.[HL3977]
The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): HMG have made approaches to the United States Government on the treatment of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay. The United States Government have given us the assurance that they would treat all the detainees humanely and consistently with the principles of the Geneva Convention. Rebo
European Union: Legal Personality
Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the statement by Lord Rooker on 23 April (HL Deb, col. 223), what would be the principal effect of the European Union acquiring full legal personality. [HL4000]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: It would acquire legal capacity to act in the international field to the extent of the powers and functions conferred on it.
For the Government's views on legal personality for the European Union, I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave him on 17 December 2001 (Official Report, col. WA 10).
European Union: Forthcoming Council Business
Lord Orme asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for May, and what are the major European Union events the period between 31 May and October 2002. [HL4087]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: May 2002 7 May—ECOFIN—Brussels 1. Adoption of the Agenda 2. Approval of the list of "A" items 3. Broad economic policy guidelines —Commission recommendation 4. Directives and reports in the financial services area —Market Abuse —Political agreement —Financial holdings —Political agreement 5. (poss.) Taxation of energy —Council conclusions 6. Preliminary draft Community budget for 2003 7. (poss.) Recasting of the Financial Regulation 8. Other business Other business 2—Washington—EU/US Summit 3–4—Brussels—Tourism Council (Ministerial Informal) 6—Brussels—Eurogroup (Evening) 8—Toledo—EU/Canada Summit 13—Brussels—General Affairs Council and Defence Ministers Meeting 17–18—Madrid—EU/Latin America and Caribbean Summit 21—Brussels—Internal Market, Consumers and Tourism Council 23—Brussels—Culture and Audio-visual Council 23–24—Brussels—Convention on the Future of Europe—Plenary Session 24–26—Palma de Mallorca-Environment Council (Ministerial Informal) 27–28—Brussels—Agriculture Council 30—Brussels—Development Council 30—Brussels—Education and Youth Council 31–1—Brussels—Transport Council (Ministerial Informal)
The following are the principal events in the EU between 1 June and October 2002 (certain relevant events are also included: the list is based on the information available at the date of issue).
| Date | Location | Event |
| June | ||
| 3 | Brussels | Employment and Social Affairs Council |
| 3 | Brussels | Eurogroup (Evening) |
| 4 | Luxembourg | ECOFIN |
| 6–8 | Brussels | Foreign Affairs Council (ASEM Ministers) |
| 6–7 | Brussels | Convention on the Future of Europe—Plenary Session |
| 6–7 | Brussels | Industry and Energy Council |
| 10–11 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 10–11 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 11 | Brussels | Fisheries Council |
| 13–14 | Brussels | Justice and Home Affairs Council |
| 17–18 | Brussels | Transport and Telecoms Council |
| 17–18 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 21–22 | Seville | European Council |
| 24 | Brussels | General Affairs Council (Evening) |
| 24–25 | Brussels | Convention on the Future of Europe—Plenary Session |
| 24–25 | Brussels | Environment Council |
| 25 | Luxembourg | ECOFIN |
| 26 | Brussels | Health Council |
| July | ||
| 6 | Copenhagen | ASEM Ministers for Finance |
| 11–12 | Brussels | Convention on the Future of Europe—Plenary Session |
| 12 | Brussels | ECOFIN |
| 12–13 | Kolding | Meeting of Employment and Social Policy Ministers (Informal) |
| 15–16 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 19 | Brussels | Budget Meeting |
| 19–21 | – | Environment Ministers Meeting (Informal) |
| 22–23 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| August | ||
| 31–1 | Elsinore | Gymnich (Ministerial Informal) |
| September | ||
| 6 | Brussels | ASEM Economic Ministers Meeting |
| 6–8 | Copenhagen | ECOFIN (Ministerial Informal) |
| 8–10 | Nyborg | Agriculture Council (Ministerial Informal) |
| 12–13 | Copenhagen | Justice and Home Affairs Council (Ministerial Informal) |
| 22–23 | Copenhagen | ASEM Meeting |
| 23–24 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 26 | Brussels | Internal Market, Consumer Affairs and Tourism Council |
| 27 | Tent | ACP-EU Ministers Meeting |
| 30 | Brussels | Research Council |
| 30–1 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| October | ||
| 3–4 | Brussels | Transport and Telecommunications Council |
| 8 | Brussels | ECOFIN |
| 8 | Brussels | Employment and Social Policy Council |
| 14 | Brussels | Fisheries Council |
| 14–15 | Brussels | Justice and Home Affairs, and Civil Protection Council |
| 15–16 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 17 | Brussels | Environment Council |
| 18–19 | Aalborg | Internal Market, Consumer Affairs and Industry Meeting (Ministerial Informal) |
| 21–22 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 24–25 | Brussels | European Council |
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): The Environment Agency's list of sites is being updated and will be released later this month. I will send the noble Baroness a copy as soon as it is available and place a copy in the Library of the House.
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Whitty: The Government are not preparing a Bill of rights for animals. There has been a public consultation concerning the modernisation and consolidation of animal welfare laws. The consultation, launched on 2 January, ended on 30 April. The department will consider the possibility of a new animal welfare Bill in the light of the replies to the consultation. The preparation of a Bill of rights for animals has never been the aim of the consultation.
Rebo
Lord Redesdale asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Whitty: Private veterinarians are appointed as local veterinary inspectors (LVIs) by the department in order to carry out specific functions.
Part of the appointment process involves departmental training in those areas to which the appointment relates. The objectives of such training are to improve the ability and performance of the LVI in carrying out work for the department and to provide motivation to achieve and maintain satisfactory standards.
Following a successful assessment of the trainee's suitability, a temporary appointment of six months will be established. During this period an assessment of the officer's competence will be made. Satisfactory assessment leads to a full appointment.
It is the responsibility of the department to maintain a level of training suitable for the LVI to perform his or her functions. Training is complemented with written instructions, newsletters and practice liaison meetings
How many landfill sites are licensed to take ash from specified risk material incinerators; and where they are located.[HL4013]
Whether they are preparing any Bill of rights for animals; and, if so, they will legislate to ensure that animals fulfil any responsibilities.[HL4079]
What plans they have to train private veterinary surgeons in the identification and treatment of notifiable diseases when involved in the support of the State Veterinary Service.[HL4099]
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