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1566985

registered interest
date	16/01/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Qatar: Human Rights
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of human rights in Qatar following the sentencing to life imprisonment of Qatari lawyers Hazza and Rashed bin Ali Abu Shurayda al-Marri on 10 May 2022; what representations have they made to the government of Qatar about this issue; and what steps they plan to take, if any, to curtail UK–Qatar co-operation in response.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4755
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2023 answer text <p>We are aware of the case of Hazza and Rashed bin Ali Abu Shurayda al-Marri. The UK urges all countries to comply with their international obligations including those on human rights. Our close relationship with the Government of Qatar allows us to discuss important issues including human rights. We consistently underline the importance of political freedoms globally. This includes respect for the rule of law. Where the UK has cause, we raise these issues at official and Ministerial level.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 30/01/2023 14:51:22 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1566986

registered interest
date	16/01/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Landfill: Coastal Areas
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to respond to the issues raised by the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group’s Coastal Landfill Survey Report, published on 30 November 2022, which found that in 26 councils coastal landfill sites are spilling waste into the sea.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4756
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2023 answer text <p>I very much welcome the work that this group has and continues to do. The findings from the Local Government Association coastal special interest group survey will help to inform our planned evidence-based national assessment on the issues regarding these historic coastal landfill sites, which are varied and complex. This, together with a full review of previous and other current activity in this space, will enable us to consolidate and provide a true and accurate picture of the issue, and assist those local authorities who have the responsibility for managing these sites to identify the most effective and cost beneficial way forward.</p><p><br> My officials will continue to work closely with our LGA colleagues as this work progresses, and we value their continued insight and support.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 26/01/2023 17:43:58 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1566987

registered interest
date	16/01/2023
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Infant Mortality
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the rise in trauma deaths and sudden unexpected deaths in infancy and childhood (Sudic) in 2022; in particular, that four times as many deaths occurred in the most deprived fifth of the population, compared with the least deprived fifth; and what steps they plan to take, if any, in response.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4757
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2023 answer text <p>We are committed to the health service learning from child deaths. In 2018, NHS England supported the establishment of the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) to record comprehensive data on the circumstances of children’s deaths and reduce preventable child mortality in England.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is considering the NCMD report on Sudden and Unexpected Deaths in Infancy and Childhood published in December 2022.</p><p> </p><p>Instances of sudden unexpected death in infancy often link in with wider health disparities and modifiable factors such as smoking in pregnancy and in the home. Frontline health professionals have tools and processes in place to deliver guidance to families to promote safe sleeping for babies. There is a significant amount of work taking place to tackle smoking in pregnancy, across many agencies.</p><p> </p><p>The National Institute for Health and Care Research is funding a study looking at promoting safer sleeping for babies in high-risk groups in England and a research project into effective mechanisms for reducing abusive head trauma in young infants.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to help tackle unsafe homes. This includes developing new guidance on damp and mould for the housing sector, extending the Decent Home Standard to the private rented sector and a number of other amendments through the Renters Reform Bill and Social Housing (Regulation) Bill.</p><p> </p><p>Minister Neil O’Brien gave a speech at a Westminster Hall Debate on 17 January this year on the important issue of sudden unexpected death in childhood. The transcript is available on Hansard.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 08/02/2023 13:09:58 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1566590

registered interest
date	12/01/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Poisoning: Nature Conservation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what (1) proactive, and (2) reactive, steps they are taking to (a) prevent, and (b) end, the sale of (i) poison, and (ii) other products, being promoted for the killing of protected animals in the UK.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4697
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2023 answer text <p>The Government strongly condemns the use of any poisons targeted at our protected species. Those found guilty of such illegal activities can expect to face the full force of the law, including potentially severe fines and custodial sentences.</p><p>All vertebrate wildlife is subject to general welfare protection under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Methods of killing or taking not involving poisons are also regulated by legislation; for example, the Pests Act 1954 prohibits the approval of any type of leghold trap or the use of unapproved spring traps.</p><p>There are strict regulations in place in Great Britain (GB) to ensure that when chemical products for pest control are used properly, they do not harm people, pets or the wider environment, including protected species. Products must be authorised before they can be made available on the market and must be used in accordance with the conditions of that authorisation</p><p><br>It is a criminal offence to fail to comply with the laws that regulate the supply of chemicals in GB, or to use chemicals in a way which harms people, pets, protected species or the wider environment, with penalties that may lead to unlimited fines or imprisonment.</p><p>There are robust, multi-agency arrangements in place for enforcing the illegal supply and use of chemicals which include the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency, the police and local authorities, with the illegal poisoning of protected species investigated by a dedicated Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 26/01/2023 12:55:02 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1566181

registered interest
date	11/01/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Antimicrobials: Drug Resistance
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to monitor concentrations of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals and personal care product residues in terms of driving the evolution of antimicrobial resistance in the environment, and (2) to fund more research into the risks they may pose to human health.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4650
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2023 answer text <p>(1) Defra and the Environment Agency (EA) have been working with the water industry to research the occurrence and transport of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics through wastewater treatment works as part of the industry-funded Chemical Investigations Programme. Investigations have been carried out at ten sites across the country to understand how the different treatment processes and the presence of chemicals including a range of pharmaceuticals affect the presence and prevalence of particular organisms and resistance genes. The results are due to be published by UK Water Industry Research in early 2023.</p><p>The EA has also been working with water companies on chemicals investigations which have included a range of pharmaceuticals and personal care products residues discharged from treated sewage effluent which might contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).</p><p>The EA has developed a Prioritisation and Early Warning System (PEWS) for chemicals of emerging concern to ensure consideration of the potential risks of emerging chemicals including to surface waters (both freshwater and saline waters), groundwater and soils. The system allows the EA to sift and to screen any chemical substance nominated using, where available, hazard data and environmental monitoring data to prioritise whether a substance may be a possible chemical of concern in England. The EA has included a number of pharmaceuticals and personal care products as part of PEWS including, for example, diclofenac, ibuprofen and Benzophenone-3 (UV filter). These three substances flagged as high risk in PEWS.</p><p>The EA also monitors for a wide range of pharmaceuticals and substances used in personal care products in the water environment using a semi-quantitative screening methodology. All the substances mentioned above are included on this screening.</p><p>(2) The UK AMR National Action Plan (NAP) (2019-24) commits to “support research to reduce evidence gaps and improve our understanding of hazards and risks from AMR in the environment”. The Government is not currently supporting research on the potential risks of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals and personal care product residues in terms of driving the evolution of AMR in the environment and the risks they may pose to human health, but is exploring options with funders on how best to undertake a One-Health approach to research into the drivers of AMR in the environment and environmental transmission risks to human health. This work will be built upon as an area of focus for research in the next five-year NAP (2024-29).</p><p>The Government is funding a wide array of research into AMR, including through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). As of September 2022, the NIHR was supporting 65 active research projects funded by NIHR programmes on AMR, with a combined value of approximately £97 million. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including risk factors for AMR.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 25/01/2023 12:03:40 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1565300

registered interest
date	09/01/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Game: Birds
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the avian flu risk presented by the carcasses of shot game birds being dumped in the environment, as occurred in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on or about 25 December 2022.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4536
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2023 answer text <p>The events that led to the dead pheasants being found in the river in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are unknown. However, pheasants which are killed during a game shoot, where the birds are shot with the intention of using them for human consumption and which are then collected would be classified as animal by products. Disposal of animal by products is regulated and dumping such game carcases would be an offence. Anyone concerned about the appropriate disposal of dead animals or non-compliance with avian influenza controls, should contact their local Trading Standards office in the first instance.</p><p><br> Once game birds have been released, they are considered to be wild birds under avian influenza rules. The risk of incursion of highly pathogenic (HPAI) avian influenza H5 in wild birds in Great Britain is currently assessed as very high (i.e. event occurs almost certainly). The risk of wildfowling, driven game shooting and pigeon shooting activities are not considered to significantly increase the risk for long distance dispersal beyond that of routine movement of infected wild birds. Further details on the evidence which supports this risk level can be found in the Animal and Plant Health Agency Rapid Risk Assessment for spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 from wild birds to poultry from the shooting of wild waterfowl and wild game (including formerly captive) birds.</p><p><br> Members of the public should use either the online reporting system to report findings of dead wild birds or call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77). Reports to the Defra Helpline of found dead wild birds are triaged and not all birds will be collected.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 26/01/2023 12:57:57 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1565302

registered interest
date	09/01/2023
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Furniture: Chemicals
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Environment Agency guidance directing that waste upholstered domestic seating containing persistent organic pollutants (POPs) must be destroyed through incineration, on (1) the capacity of local authorities to provide waste collections, and (2) fly tipping.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4538
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/01/2023 answer text <p>The Environment Agency (EA) is working to tackle the illegal disposal of waste domestic seating containing large quantities of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). It has issued additional guidance to help waste holders comply with important, existing, legal requirements, which minimise the environmental impacts of POPs.</p><p><br> We have been working with both local authority and waste industry representatives since early 2021 to understand the impacts where changes to waste management arrangements are required and help them prepare to comply.</p><p><br> Many local authorities were incinerating waste upholstered domestic seating before the EA guidance was published and others took steps to do so once they became aware of the issue. This has minimised the impact on their waste collections. We expect local authorities to continue to accept waste upholstered domestic seating and to ensure they are disposing of it appropriately.</p><p><br> The Government recognises that this is particularly challenging for some local authorities and is currently aware of three examples of local disruption to waste collections. Officials are monitoring a number of risks, including a risk of increased fly-tipping of waste domestic seating. The EA will continue to support local authorities as they take action to comply.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 26/01/2023 12:39:39 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1563813

registered interest
date	21/12/2022
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Nature Conservation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding by the United Nations Development Programme that $1.8 trillion in global subsidies are contributing towards the destruction of nature; and what steps they are taking to ensure that none of their (1) domestic, and (2) Official Development Assistance, funding is contributing to the destruction of nature.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4477
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2023 answer text <p>No assessment has been made of the UNDP findings. All Defra’s ODA programmes focus on addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and poverty reduction. We are replacing the approach under the Common Agricultural Policy and transitioning to our new Environmental Land Management Schemes that is paying farmers for delivering environmental improvements that benefit us all, such as improved water quality, protecting and restoring biodiversity, and improving animal health and welfare.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 30/01/2023 12:01:34 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle