HL Deb 03 June 1992 vol 537 cc68-70WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the countries in which the British Army, British companies or grant-aid are helping in the clearance of land-mines left behind by wars, indicating the expected duration of each programme.

The Paliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Viscount Cranborne)

In Cambodia, the United Kingdom is providing 13 mine clearance training experts from the Royal Engineers as part of the United Nations Transition Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). This task is expected to last about 18 months. In addition, the Government, through the Overseas Development Administration, is providing financial support to the mine clearance and mine awareness training programme being carried out by the Halo Trust in Cambodia, and their mine clearance programme in Afghanistan. In both these latter cases, grant aid funds amounting to 50 per cent. of the estimated cost have been committed for financial year 1992–93. Although the Royal Engineers were involved in the initial stages of the contract won by Royal Ordnance for mine clearance in Kuwait, I am unable to provide further information for British companies.