§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what tests Her Majesty's Government have carried out on the safety and reliability of self-destructing and self-neutralising mines; if he will publish the results; and what plans there are for further tests;
(2) if he will make a statement on the failure rate of self-neutralising and self-destructing mines.
§ Mr. AitkenNo self-destructing or self-neutralising mines are in service with the armed forces and no specific 419W tests have been carried out by my Department into the safety and reliability of such mines. Consequently no data are available regarding failure rates. We do have plans to introduce mines with these capabilities and acceptable levels of safety and reliability will have to be demonstrated as part of the procurement process. Any such weapon would, of course, fully comply with the international laws of armed conflict.